Department of Health and Social Care

Diabetes: Medical Equipment

Tulip Siddiq: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of providing additional funding for real-time continuous glucose monitoring.

Steve Brine: The Department has no plans to provide additional funding for real time glucose monitoring. NHS England is responsible for commissioning diabetes services and has informed us that, taking into account the overall impact on healthcare costs from improved control of diabetes, the overall costs from the use of continuous glucose monitoring can be lower than those that arise from self-monitoring. Therefore its provision can be cost effective without requiring additional investment. However, this cost-benefit analysis only holds true for particular cohorts of patients.

Diabetes: Medical Equipment

Tulip Siddiq: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of the creation of a central appraisal system to monitor variations in the (a) uptake and (b) access to (i) medical devices and (ii) apps for diabetes management and treatment.

Steve Brine: NHS England has informed us that their Diabetes Programme team have not made an assessment of the potential merits of a central appraisal system to monitor variations in uptake, or access to medical devices, or apps for diabetes management and treatment across the National Health Service.

Nurses: Resignations

Emma Little Pengelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many nurses have left employment with the NHS after the UK voted to leave the EU.

Emma Little Pengelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many doctors have left the NHS since the UK voted to leave the EU.

Stephen Barclay: There has not been any significant change in the number of doctors and nurses leaving the National Health Service since the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union, and they have moved broadly in line with the two years preceding the referendum. Since the EU referendum, there are a total of 3,601 additional staff from EU27 countries. NHS Digital publishes workforce statistics and the following tables show the number of doctors and nurses and health visitors who left NHS employment since the UK voted to leave the EU. Leavers from NHS trusts and clinical commissioning groups in England from 30 June 2016 to 31 December 2017 NHS Hospital and Community Health Service (HCHS) Doctors - Leavers (Headcount)Nurses and Health visitors - Leavers (Headcount)June 2016 to June 201716,20134,452July 2017 to December 201712,12517,871Source: NHS Digital, HCHS workforce statistics.

General Practitioners

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate his Department has made of the level of GP shortages in (a) Chelmsford, (b) Ormskirk, (c) Lincoln, (d) Sunderland, (e) Canterbury and (f) Bradford.

Steve Brine: The figures for numbers of general practitioner (GP) to patients in the areas highlighted are set out in the table below.All Practitioners as at September 2017Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) NameAll Practitioners (excluding Retainers, Registrars and Locums)All PatientsPatients Per GPNHS Mid Essex CCG197380,9321,934NHS West Lancashire CCG61113,5811,862NHS Lincolnshire West CCG118239,8262,032NHS Sunderland CCG154284,1331,845NHS Canterbury and Coastal CCG138223,8381,622NHS Bradford Districts CCG225332,0791,476NHS Bradford City CCG55138,5822,520England Total34,26758,674,6761,712 The Department and NHS England established a scheme to recruit GPs to ‘hard to recruit’ areas. Other support being provided to encourage GPs to remain in the National Health Service includes the GP Career Plus and the GP Retention Scheme. In addition, the National GP Induction and Refresher Scheme helps GPs back into the NHS. By 2020 the Government has committed to 5,000 additional doctors in general practice, as part of a wider increase to the total workforce in general practice of 10,000.

Diabetes

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has allocated funding for research into new treatments for diabetes.

Jackie Doyle-Price: The Department, through the National Institute for Health Research, currently has £23,171,620 of funding for research into treatments for diabetes

European Food Safety Authority

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether it is his policy for the UK to remain part of the European Food Safety Agency in the event that the UK leaves the EU.

Steve Brine: Departments are currently working together to understand the impacts that withdrawal from the European Union will have across a number of sectors and cross-cutting areas, including the European Food Safety Authority. The European Food Safety Authority provides independent scientific advice and risk assessments covering a wide range of policy areas. Options for the future of risk assessment and scientific advice in the United Kingdom are being developed and assessed by the Government. Requirements will depend on the nature of the relationship the UK has with the European Food Safety Authority once the UK leaves the EU. It will be a priority to maintain the UK’s high standards of food and feed safety, and to ensure we take a risk-based, proportionate approach when providing risk assessments.

Dental Services: Rural Areas

Derek Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the Government is taking to ensure rural areas have adequate access to dentists; and whether the Government provides incentives for dentists to work in areas where there is an acute shortage.

Steve Brine: NHS England has a legal duty to commission National Health Service primary care dental services to meet local needs. NHS England contracts with dental providers to provide NHS care. Contract holders are then responsible for the recruitment of any other dentists needed to fulfil the contract requirements. This includes the remuneration offered to any associate dentists they recruit. NHS England advises that it has recently been getting reports from some providers of difficulties in recruiting and retaining dentists particularly in more remote areas. NHS England is working with local commissioners to investigate how widespread this is and is keeping the issue under active review.

Prescriptions: Fees and Charges

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a requirement for people who qualify for free NHS prescriptions to produce proof of their eligibility when collecting those medicines.

Steve Brine: The Government does not plan to make such an assessment. For many of the exemptions that apply to prescription charges, there is no requirement for people to prove their entitlement, for example because they qualify on grounds of age, or because primary legislation requires the free supply of the medicines they have been prescribed, such as medicines for the treatment of sexual diseases. For other cohorts of people who are exempt, for example by being in receipt of a qualifying benefit, there are already requirements in place for patients to provide proof of their eligibility, set out in the National Health Service (Charges for Drugs and Appliances) Regulations 2015 (the Charges Regulations). The Charges Regulations provide that those aged under 16 or 60 and over are not required to provide further evidence of entitlement when their date of birth is printed on the prescription form. The Regulations also provide for no charge to be made or recovered from prisoners, detainees, people being treated for a sexually transmitted infection, people who have been prescribed free of charge contraceptives, people who have been prescribed drugs in circumstances where there is considered to be a public health risk, people who are obtaining pharmaceutical services from a chemist on presentation of a prescription form which was provided or issued in Northern Ireland and people who are requesting the repair or replacement of a damaged appliance. None of these circumstances require the patient to prove that they do not have to pay.

Hospitals: Parking

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much it cost NHS hospitals in England to maintain their parking facilities in (a) 2010, (b) 2014, (c) 2015, (d) 2016 and (e) 2017.

Stephen Barclay: The information requested is not collected centrally. The Department published clear guidelines (the car parking principles) for National Health Service organisations that they are expected to follow. The guidelines are available at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-patient-visitor-and-staff-car-parking-principles/nhs-patient-visitor-and-staff-car-parking-principles The car parking principles recommend that NHS trusts should publish:- their parking policy;- their implementation of the NHS car parking principles;- financial information relating to their car parking; and- summarised complaint information on car parking and actions taken in response.

Hospitals: Parking

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to his oral contribution of 1 February 2018, Official Report, column 1083, what recent discussions he has had with NHS hospitals in England on the charging of blue badge holders for parking.

Stephen Barclay: There have been no recent discussions between my Rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and National Health Service hospitals in England with reference to his oral contribution of 1 February 2018, Official Report, column 1083; however; the Department keeps the policy and guidance relating to NHS patient, visitor and staff car parking regularly under review including discussions between officials and NHS organisations. National Health Service trusts make decisions locally about the provision of car parking to patients, visitors and staff. Providing car parking results in NHS trusts incurring costs for equipment, signage, lighting, insurance, security, administration and maintenance. This money could otherwise be used to provide clinical care to patients. The Department published clear guidelines (car parking principles) for NHS organisations that they are expected to follow. Hospitals should put concessions in place for those who most need help including blue badge holders, carers and staff who work shifts. The NHS itself is responsible for ensuring that charges are fairly applied. Patients, visitors and staff who have problems with car parking should therefore contact the NHS organisation which runs the car park. NHS Patient, Visitor and Staff Car Parking Principles first published in August, 2014 and updated in October 2015, set out a nationally consistent approach for hospitals to take to car parking and concessionary charges. This is available at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-patient-visitor-and-staff-car-parking-principles/nhs-patient-visitor-and-staff-car-parking-principles

Hospitals: Parking

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the mean cost is to park at an NHS hospital in England for one hour.

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the mean cost is to park at an NHS hospital in England for four hours.

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the mean cost is to park at an NHS hospital in England for one day.

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the mean cost is to park at an NHS hospital in England for one week.

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, which NHS hospital in England has the highest parking charges for (a) patients and (b) visitors for one hour of parking.

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, which NHS hospital in England has the highest parking charges for (a) patients and (b) visitors for four hours of parking.

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care,  which NHS hospital in England has the highest parking charges for (a) patients and (b) visitors for one day of parking.

Stephen Barclay: The information requested is not collected centrally. National Health Service car parking data is collected annually through Estates Return Information Collection (ERIC). All ERIC data for all trusts in England is published at: http://hefs.hscic.gov.uk/ERIC.asp The table below shows the latest ERIC car parking data for 2017.  2016-17Parking spaces available (Number) 452,379Designated disabled parking spaces (Number) 23,660Average fee charged per hour for patient/visitor parking (£) 1.32Average fee charged per hour for staff parking (£) 0.19Do you charge for disabled parking (Yes/No/None)Yes132No925None110Total1,170  The provision of parking spaces and the level of any charges that are made to use them are matters for individual NHS trusts. NHS organisations must have the autonomy to make decisions that best suit their local circumstances. Details of charges, concessions and additional charges should be well publicised including at car park entrances, wherever payment is made and inside the hospital. They should also be included on the hospital website and on patient letters and forms, where appropriate. The Department published clear guidelines (the car parking principles) for NHS organisations that they are expected to follow. The guidelines are available at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-patient-visitor-and-staff-car-parking-principles/nhs-patient-visitor-and-staff-car-parking-principles Hospitals should put concessions in place for those who most need help including disabled people, carers and staff who work shifts. The NHS itself is responsible for ensuring that charges are fairly applied. Patients, visitors and staff who have problems with car parking should therefore contact the NHS organisation which runs the car park.

Health Services and Science

Sir David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the government is taking to ensure that the UK continues to attract the best talent in science and healthcare after the UK leaves the EU.

Stephen Barclay: The Government has always said it is committed to ensuring leaving the European Union is a success and wants the United Kingdom to remain a hub for attracting international talent including to the National Health Service and UK research. The Department is working with other Government Departments, including the Home Office, to ensure continued access to the brightest and best international talent.

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency

Sir David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the need for additional investment in the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency after the UK leaves the EU.

Jackie Doyle-Price: The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is a Government trading fund, and will continue to be so after the United Kingdom leaves the European Union. As a Government trading fund, the Agency will carry on recovering costs in the usual way.

Patients: Sexual Offences

Mrs Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what role the General Medical Council plays in (a) assessing and (b) enforcing safeguarding measures put in place by NHS trusts after patients have made serious allegations of sexual assault.

Stephen Barclay: The General Medical Council (GMC) is the independent regulator of medical doctors in the United Kingdom, and is not responsible for assessing or enforcing measures put in place by National Health Service trusts. All UK registered doctors are expected to meet the professional standards set out in the GMC’s Good Medical Practice. To maintain their licence to practise, a doctor must demonstrate, through the revalidation process, that they work in line with the principles and values set out in this guidance. If an allegation is made about a doctor that their fitness to practise is impaired, the GMC has a duty to investigate and take action to safeguard the health and well-being of the public. In the most serious cases fitness to practise proceedings can result in doctors being removed from the medical register.

Heart Diseases: Medical Treatments

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the process is for updating NICE guidelines on transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Steve Brine: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE) interventional procedures guidance on transcatheter aortic valve implantation for aortic stenosis was published in July 2017. NICE will review its guidance if new evidence or safety concerns arise.

Heart Diseases: Medical Treatments

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to increase access to transcatheter aortic valve implantation procedures in England.

Steve Brine: Access to transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is increasing year on year since it was first commissioned by NHS England. In 2016, 3,250 implantations were undertaken which was an increase of 734 procedures on 2015; numbers for 2017 are awaiting validation. TAVI is undertaken in 29 National Health Service hospitals in England, all of which are cardiac surgical centres. NHS England commissions TAVI and has a published policy which is consistent with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance.

Heart Diseases: Medical Treatments

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to encourage (a) clinical commissioning groups and (b) primary care clinicians to tackle variations in access to transcatheter aortic valve implantation procedures throughout England.

Steve Brine: NHS England commissions transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and has a published policy which is consistent with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance, and access to TAVI is increasing year on year since it was first commissioned by NHS England. Whilst clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) do not commission TAVI, they do play a part in encouraging primary and secondary care services to increase rates of diagnosis for aortic stenosis and refer onwards for management as appropriate. In addition, NHS England is working in collaboration with NHS Improvement’s Getting It Right First Time team on a range of topics including TAVI. The review will consider current and potential future demand, waiting times, and pathway optimisation. As part of this process, a clinical lead has been identified to head up a policy working group which will review NHS England’s current policy for TAVI commissioning, in light of a number of new randomised control trials and updated guidance from national and international bodies. Furthermore, NICE has been asked to develop a guideline on the management of valvular heart disease which should increase awareness of these conditions, including aortic stenosis.

Dental Health: Children

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits for children's oral health of an England version of Scotland’s Childsmile scheme.

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps with the Secretary of State for Education to ensure the provision of supervised tooth brushing sessions in all (a) nurseries and (b) school breakfast clubs.

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will estimate the cost to the public purse of providing supervised tooth-brushing sessions in all English nurseries and school breakfast clubs.

Steve Brine: In England local authorities are responsible for assessing oral health needs and improving the oral health of their local populations rather than the centralised approach in Scotland. Many local authorities have programmes in place that contain elements similar to those within the Childsmile programme, for example tooth brushing programmes and community fluoride varnish schemes. Improving the oral health of young children in England is a Public Health England (PHE) priority. PHE’s Children’s Oral Health Improvement Programme Board brings together over 20 stakeholder organisations that all have key leadership roles for children and young people. Its work programme includes learning from other successful approaches including the Childsmile initiative in Scotland. The Department for Education recognises the importance of healthy teeth - poor oral health can affect a child's ability to sleep, eat, speak, play and socialise with other children. Early Years Educator qualifications must cover the promotion of the health, safety and welfare of children. All early years’ providers have a responsibility to promote the health of children in their setting, set out in the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, good oral health can form a part of this and this may include supervised tooth brushing sessions. PHE has published a supervised tooth brushing toolkit to support the commissioning and delivery of these programmes. In addition early years providers have published a feasibility study of supervised tooth brushing in early years settings which concluded they were easily deliverable. The study is available at: https://www.foundationyears.org.uk/2016/12/supervised-toothbrushing-in-early-years-settings/ Information on the cost of assessing oral health needs, and individual supervised brushing programmes is not collected centrally. Local authorities are responsible for improving oral health, assessing oral health needs and if appropriate commissioning supervised brushing programmes including nurseries and school breakfast clubs.

Dental Services: Children

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to extend NHS England’s Starting Well scheme to more than the 13 local authorities in which it has been introduced to date.

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress has been made against the objectives of NHS England’s Starting Well scheme for children's oral health.

Steve Brine: NHS England’s ‘Starting Well’ programme will work in 13 high needs areas to improve the oral health of children under the age of five years who would not normally be regular dental attenders. NHS England is also developing a complementary ‘Starting Well Core’ offer, a similar commissioning approach designed to facilitate increased access and early preventive care for young children. This offer will be made available in 2018, with commissioners making local decisions on whether to fund based on their assessment of need locally. The Starting Well programme launched last autumn with schemes in the 13 areas going live during this spring. It is therefore too early to assess delivery against scheme objectives. A national evaluation of Starting Well is being led by the University of Birmingham on behalf of NHS England, with the aim to evaluate if the aims and objectives of the programme were met and to inform the development of guidance to future commissioners of such programmes. NHS England advise that an interim evaluation report covering the first year of the programme is expected in spring 2019.

Healthy Start Scheme

Mrs Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the effect of the introduction of universal credit on take-up rates for healthy start benefits among families in receipt of universal credit.

Jackie Doyle-Price: Healthy Start vouchers are available to Universal Credit claimants with earnings at or below £408 per month, who are at least 10 weeks pregnant or who have at least one child under four years old. Arrangements are in place to support Healthy Start beneficiaries who are transitioning to Universal Credit, and those who are applying for Universal Credit for the first time.

Surgery: Waiting Lists

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the publication, The government's mandate to NHS England for 2018-19, published on 20 March 2018, for what reasons the (a) 18 week waiting time target for elective surgery and (b) 4 hour waiting time for emergencies will not be met until 2020; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Barclay: Holding answer received on 27 March 2018



The Government has made clear to NHS England and to Parliament that for Referral to Treatment (RTT), the agreed standard is nothing less than the statutory standard. The Government remain committed to the accident and emergency (A&E) waiting time standards. The November 2017 budget announced additional National Health Service revenue funding of £1.6 billion for 2018/19, part of which will be used by the NHS to treat a quarter of a million more patients in A&E than the 23.5 million it expects to treat this financial year, and at the same time improve A&E performance. The 2018-19 Government mandate to NHS England continues the multi-year approach to the mandate established since 2016-17 where we have carried forward the same overarching objectives to 2020 with only one significant change (the role of NHS England to support the Government to make a success of European Union Exit in regards to health and care). 2020 goals and annual deliverables from 2017-18 are also being carried forward with only essential changes. This is to provide continued stability for NHS England and the wider NHS to focus on improving performance on core patient access standards whilst maintaining progress on key commitments in the NHS’s plan, the Five Year Forward View. The decision to roll forward the mandate, alongside providing an additional £2.8 billion for the NHS between 2017-18 and 2019-20, reflects the Government’s commitment to supporting the NHS to deliver essential improvements in elective care 18-week RTT and A&E waiting times.

NHS: Pay

Ben Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate his Department has made of the number of NHS workers who will benefit from the pay-rise announcement of 21 March 2018 in (a) Nottinghamshire and (b) the East Midlands.

Stephen Barclay: All staff on Agenda for Change contracts including those in Nottinghamshire and the East Midlands will benefit from the pay rise announcement if the multi-year pay deal is accepted by National Health Service trades union members. The outcome of the consultation is expected at the end of May. There are around 25,000 NHS workers on Agenda for Change contracts working in Nottinghamshire NHS organisations and around 87,000 in the East Midlands. Source: NHS Digital - monthly workforce statistics - Staff in trusts and clinical commissioning groups December 2017

Alcoholic Drinks: Misuse

Ronnie Cowan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his department is taking to measure the effect of the availability of cheap alcohol on rates of alcohol-related hospital admissions for (a) young people and (b) homeless people.

Steve Brine: The Department commissioned an evidence review from Public Health England on the Public Health Burden of alcohol, which was published in 2016. This report was a comprehensive review of available evidence, which included the availability of alcohol and its impact on various socioeconomic groups. The report is available to view online at: www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/583047/alcohol_public_health_burden_evidence_review.pdf The Government continues to review what further evidence is required to understand the impact of cheap alcohol alongside hospital admissions and minimum unit pricing and its impact also remains under review.

NHS: Tower Hamlets

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the effect of the introduction of the GP at Hand service on funding for NHS services in Tower Hamlets.

Steve Brine: NHS England is commissioning a clinically led independent evaluation of GP at Hand to better understand any potential implications for patients and the wider system of GP at Hand and other digital services.

Nurses: Training

Emma Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has conducted an impact assessment of its decision to change NHS funding for postgraduate nursing courses in England.

Stephen Barclay: In July 2016 the Government published a revised economic impact assessment alongside the response to its consultation: Reforming healthcare education funding: creating a sustainable future workforce. A revised version of the original Equality Analysis, published in February 2018 to accompany the reforms to pre-registration postgraduate healthcare funding, can be found with the aforementioned documents at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/changing-how-healthcare-education-is-funded Following implementation of the policy, the Department will look for suitable opportunities, including through existing stakeholder forums, to monitor developments. In order to meet the growing need to increase the future supply of registered nurses, additional clinical placement funding was announced by the Department in August and October 2017. This will enable around 5,000 more nursing students to enter training each year from September 2018; an historic 25% increase.

NHS Trusts: Subsidiary Companies

Stephanie Peacock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister of State for Health of 20 March 2018, Official Report, Column 144, on NHS Trusts: Wholly Owned Subsidiary Companies, if he will publish the (a) 42 NHS foundation trusts that have reported consolidated subsidiaries to NHS Improvement, and (b) date on which each such subsidiary was (a) formed and (b) reported to NHS Improvement.

Stephen Barclay: NHS Improvement has informed the Department that they ask foundation trusts (FTs), to report how many subsidiaries have been consolidated into their accounts. In returns received by NHS Improvement for the year ended 31 March 2017, foundation trusts reported 42 consolidated subsidiaries (excluding any consolidated National Health Service charitable funds). Neither the Department, nor NHS Improvement hold information on when these consolidated subsidiaries were formed. These are shown in the table below. Name of FTName of consolidated subsidiaryBarnsley Hospital NHS Foundation TrustBarnsley Hospital Support Services LtdHampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustHampshire Hospitals Contract Services LimitedBirmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation TrustSummerhill Supplies LtdBolton NHS Foundation TrustIFM Bolton LtdThe Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustBHT CharityThe Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation TrustThe Clatterbridge Pharmacy LimitedThe Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation TrustClatterbridge Propcare Services LimitedCounty Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation TrustSynchronicity Care LtdDerby Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustD HiveThe Dudley Group NHS Foundation TrustDudley Clinical Services LimitedGateshead Health NHS Foundation TrustQEFGuy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation TrustGuy's and St Thomas' Enterprises LtdGuy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation TrustGTI Forces Healthcare LtdGuy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation TrustPathology Services LtdGuy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation TrustEssentia Trading LtdKing’s College Hospital NHS Foundation TrustKCH Commercial Services LtdKing’s College Hospital NHS Foundation TrustKing's Interventional Facilities Management LLPMoorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation TrustMoorfields Ventures LLPNorthern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustWebV Solutions LtdNorth Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation TrustOptimus Health LimitedNorthumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation TrustNorthumbria Healthcare Facilities LtdNorthumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation TrustNorthumbria Primary Care LimitedNorthumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation TrustNorthumbria Primary Care Cost Sharing Group LtdOxleas NHS Foundation TrustOxleas Prison Services LimitedRoyal Berkshire NHS Foundation TrustHealthcare FacilitiesRoyal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation TrustRSCH Pharmacy LtdSalisbury NHS Foundation TrustSalisbury Trading LimitedSalisbury NHS Foundation TrustOdstock Medical LimitedSouth Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation TrustSouth Central Fleet Services LtdUniversity Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation TrustUHS Pharmacy LTDUniversity Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation TrustUHS Estates LTDTorbay and South Devon NHS Foundation TrustSDH Developments LtdSouth Tyneside NHS Foundation TrustSTFT Holdings LimitedSouth Tyneside NHS Foundation TrustSouth Tyneside Integrated Care LimitedStockport NHS Foundation TrustStepping Hill Healthcare Enterprises LtdCity Hospitals Sunderland NHS Foundation TrustCity Hospitals Independent Commercial Enterprises LtdUniversity College London Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustMyUCLHUniversity Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation TrustPharmacy@QEHB LtdUniversity Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation TrustUHB Facilities LtdUniversity Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation TrustAssure Dialysis Services LtdYeovil District Hospital NHS Foundation TrustDay Case UK LLPYeovil District Hospital NHS Foundation TrustSymphony Healthcare Services Ltd

Neurology

Mr Geoffrey Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the number of consultant neurologists in the NHS.

Stephen Barclay: The Department does not hold this information. National Health Service workforce statistics published by NHS Digital show that the full time equivalent number of consultant neurologists employed by the NHS in England has increased by 30% between September 2010 and December 2017: FTEConsultant NeurologistsSeptember 2010589September 2011610September 2012651September 2013689September 2014732September 2015756September 2016732September 2017766December 2017764Source: NHS Digital Health Education England is responsible for assessing the future need of the NHS at a national level in order to ensure sufficient supply of doctors across all grades and specialties. However, data on the number of trainees entering neurology is not routinely published.

Alcoholic Drinks: Misuse

Ronnie Cowan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the effect of cheap alcohol on the rates of alcohol-related mortality for (a) young people and (b) homeless people.

Ronnie Cowan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of cheap alcohol on rates of alcohol-related injuries for (a) young people and (b) homeless people.

Steve Brine: The Department commissioned an evidence review from Public Health England on the public health burden of alcohol, which was published in 2016. This report was a comprehensive review of available evidence, which included the availability of alcohol and its impact on various socioeconomic groups. The report is available to view online at: www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/583047/alcohol_public_health_burden_evidence_review.pdf The Government continues to review what further evidence is required to understand the impact of cheap alcohol alongside alcohol related mortality and alcohol related injuries, as well as reviewing the overall impact of minimum unit pricing.

Halton Clinical Commissioning Group

Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to Answer of 19 March 2018 to Question 132568 on Halton Clinical Commissioning Group, whether the previous interim Accounting Officer (AO) will return to Halton Clinical Commissioning Group as an interim AO after the end of the 12-month secondment with the Cheshire and Merseyside Sustainability and Transformation Partnership.

Steve Brine: NHS England has advised that towards the end of the secondment period consideration will be given to the need to either extend or end the secondment.

Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, on how many occasions staff at Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust have not been paid on time in each of the last two years.

Stephen Barclay: This information is not held centrally. It is the responsibility of the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust to ensure that all their staff are paid accurately and on time.

West Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether NHS West Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group has introduced financial incentives for GP Practices that do not refer patients to NHS hospitals.

Steve Brine: NHS West Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group can confirm that it has not introduced financial incentives for general practitioner practices that do not refer patients to National Health Service hospitals.

NHS Trusts: Subsidiary Companies

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to prevent hospital trusts from transferring estate and facilities staff out of the NHS and into wholly-owned subsidiary companies.

Stephen Barclay: National Health Service organisations are responsible for deciding locally the most appropriate structures they need to deliver services to their patients within available resources and powers. There are therefore no plans for central bodies to prevent hospital trusts from making local decisions using legislation enacted in 2004 to transfer estate and facilities staff out of the NHS and into wholly-owned subsidiary companies where there are sound operational advantages of doing so. Staff who are compulsorily transferred from an NHS organisation to a subsidiary company retain their employment terms and conditions, and access to the NHS Pension Scheme, in accordance with HM Treasury’s New Fair Deal policy and Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) legislation.

Dental Health: Children

Emma Hardy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits for children's oral health of providing supervised tooth-brushing schemes in nurseries; and if he will make a statement.

Emma Hardy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Education on the potential merits of school breakfast clubs to providing supervised tooth-brushing sessions; and if he will make a statement.

Steve Brine: Public Health England (PHE) has made an assessment of potential interventions for improving children's oral health, which includes supervised tooth brushing. The guidance is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/improving-oral-health-an-evidence-informed-toolkit-for-local-authorities The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has published public health guidance which support local authorities to invest in programmes at a population level which have demonstrated improvement in children’s dental health and recommend supervised tooth brushing programmes in nurseries. Early Years Educator qualifications must cover the promotion of the health, safety and welfare of children. All early years’ providers have a responsibility to promote the health of children in their setting, set out in the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, good oral health can form a part of this and this may include supervised tooth brushing sessions. PHE worked with the Department for Education to publish in a toolkit for commissioners and providers considering a supervised tooth brushing programme in December 2016.

Dental Health: Care Homes

Emma Hardy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the tends in the level of oral health problems in care home residents.

Emma Hardy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that all care home residents receive an oral health assessment.

Steve Brine: There have been no national surveys on the oral health or tooth brushing habits of people in care homes. However, in 2016, Public Health England (PHE) reported on oral health in older people in England and Wales using data from existing surveys. The report found that: older adults living in care homes were more likely to have no natural teeth and less likely to have a functional dentition; older adults living in care homes were more likely to have higher levels of tooth decay; care home managers experienced greater difficulty in accessing dental care for residents than household resident older adults did and residents resisting oral care routines was the second most common oral health issue raised by care home managers. Further information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/489756/What_is_known_about_the_oral_health_of_older_people.pdf In 2016, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published guidance on oral health for adults in care homes. The aim of the guidance is to maintain and improve oral health and ensure timely access to dental treatment. The guidance can be found here: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng48 In 2017, NICE published a quality standard on oral health in care homes, which was endorsed by the Department, and is aimed at commissioners and providers of care homes. The quality standard can be found here: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/qs151 In summer 2018, PHE will be publishing ‘Commissioning better oral health for vulnerable older people’ to support commissioning of health and social care services that will have positive impacts on the oral health of vulnerable older people.

Dental Health: Children

Emma Hardy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to publish the next Child Dental Health Survey.

Emma Hardy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to publish the next Adult Dental Health Survey.

Steve Brine: No decisions have been taken yet on the timing of the next Adult Dental Health Survey or the next Child Dental Health Survey.

Brain: Tumours

Leo Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans the Government has to increase the level of medical support for people who have brain tumours.

Leo Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the Government is taking to (a) increase public awareness of the symptoms of brain tumours and (b) promote early diagnoses of that condition.

Steve Brine: There is currently a major £130 million investment in the modernisation of radiotherapy equipment in England. Combined with new approaches to surgery, it is hoped that around 6,000 brain tumour patients a year will benefit from effective but less invasive treatments. Improving early diagnosis of all cancer is a priority for this Government however we recognise that diagnosis of brain tumours can present certain challenges in general practice. As such, we support the work of HeadSmart in increasing awareness of symptoms that might be brain cancer. As well as making the National Health Service in England aware of the benefits of HeadSmart we have highlighted its benefits with Directors of Public Health, health visitors and school nurses, to encourage their use by professionals in signposting to specialist advice if needed. Further information is available at: https://www.headsmart.org.uk/ NHS England has confirmed £200 million of transformation funding over the next two years, to encourage local areas to find new and innovative ways to diagnose cancer earlier. NHS England’s Accelerate, Co-ordinate, Evaluate (ACE) programme is testing innovative ways of diagnosing cancer earlier, with ACE Wave 2 piloting multi-disciplinary diagnostic centres for patients with vague or non-specific symptoms, such as brain cancers. Finally, the government has committed its support to the newly established Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce. The Taskforce is a radical new taskforce representing cancers with stubbornly poor survival rates, specifically lung, liver, brain, oesophageal, pancreatic and stomach cancers. Although cancer survival rates are at an all-time high, these cancers all have a five-year survival rate of less than 20%. The Taskforce calls for the changes required in research, diagnosis, treatment and care to level up the less survivable cancers with those where great progress has been made.

Department for Work and Pensions

Employment and Support Allowance

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will ensure that claimants who are moved on to universal credit when employment and support allowance is withdrawn after an assessment and who subsequently get that decision overturned on appeal can claim employment and support allowance at their previous rate.

Alok Sharma: Claimants whose health condition remains unchanged and who move from Employment and Support Allowance to Universal Credit, following a fit for work decision that is subsequently overturned, will have their Universal Credit assessed on the basis of having limited capability for work or limited capability for work and work-related activity. In these circumstances claimants will also be paid any arrears of Employment and Support Allowance that are due up until their claim for Universal Credit.

Personal Independence Payment: Mental Illness

Sir Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the criteria for assessments for personal independence payments for people with mental health problems.

Sarah Newton: The assessment criteria for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) have been developed to take into account the overall impact of a claimant’s physical or mental health condition or impairment on their functional ability, rather than focusing on a particular diagnosis. The inclusion in the assessment of activities around communicating, engaging with others, and planning and following journeys assists with assessing the impact of conditions affecting mental, intellectual, cognitive and developmental functions. 66% of PIP recipients with mental health conditions get the enhanced rate daily living component, compared with 22% who received the highest DLA care component. And 31% of PIP recipients with mental health conditions get the enhanced rate mobility rate, compared with just 10% of DLA recipients.

Access to Work Programme

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Written Ministerial Statement of 20 March 2018 on Access to Work Scheme, HCWS563, what estimate her Department has made of the number of additional disabled people who will potentially receive assistance as a result of increasing the Access to Work grant.

Sarah Newton: The Written Ministerial Statement of 20 March on Access to Work announced that the Access to Work award limit, currently £42,100 per year, will rise from 1st April 2018 to £57,200 per annum. This will make available an increased level of potential support to those using Access to Work. We intend to publish an update to the Equality Analysis published in May 2015 as a formal addendum.https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/future-of-access-to-work

Universal Credit

Ruth George: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether a universal credit claimant in the support group requires a claimant commitment.

Alok Sharma: All Universal Credit claimants are required to accept a Claimant Commitment as a condition of entitlement. Where it has been determined that a claimant has a serious health condition or disability which prevents them from working or preparing for work, they will not be required to undertake any work-related requirements and their Claimant Commitment will reflect this.

Universal Credit: Overpayments

Ruth George: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many universal credit claimants have received overpayments due to errors by her Department.

Kit Malthouse: We do not have data quality assured data to National Statistics or Official Statistics publication standard. The latest fraud and error publication which provides official error figures can be found here:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/fraud-and-error-in-the-benefit-system-financial-year-2016-to-2017-estimates

Universal Credit: Overpayments

Ruth George: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will ensure that universal credit overpayments caused by errors by her Department are not recoverable from claimants.

Kit Malthouse: As part of the Welfare Reform Act 2012, any payment of Universal Credit made in excess of entitlement is a recoverable overpayment, regardless of how the overpayment was caused. This includes those overpayments arising wholly as a result of official error. This is because there is a duty to protect public funds and an obligation, wherever possible, to make sure that an overpayment is recovered.We do however recognise the problems this may cause for claimants and where possible we try to agree a repayment scheme rather than seek the entire amount in one lump sum.

Social Security Benefits: Terminal Illnesses

Ruth George: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to allow third parties to submit DS1500 forms on behalf of terminally ill universal credit claimants.

Ruth George: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that terminally ill claimants can receive universal credit.

Sarah Newton: We are committed to ensuring that terminally ill patients are treated with the utmost sensitivity and care, and receive the support they need to make a claim to Universal Credit. The principles that apply to terminally ill people claiming Universal Credit are the same as for those claiming Employment and Support Allowance, and have remained the same for successive governments. People have several options for how they would like to progress their claim, and we will support them in the most sensitive way possible. For example, if they would rather not continue submitting information online, our Jobcentre staff can either telephone or visit them, to provide support in making their initial claim and completing any other administrative tasks required to ensure that they receive the correct payment. If a claimant does not want to tell us about their condition themselves, then they can appoint a representative, such as a doctor, charity or friend to let us know on their behalf. We accept information directly from claimant representatives, such as claimant appointees or third party organisations representing the claimant, as well as details supplied to DWP Universal Credit partnership managers or external engagement officials. We also continue to ensure that our work coaches have the flexibility to tailor support for individuals in difficult circumstances.

Government Departments: Disability

Kate Hollern: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps the Government is taking to ensure disabled access and facilities are made available at all job centres and any other Departmental offices.

Kit Malthouse: The Department takes our responsibility to ensure all our customers have access to our services and facilities without disadvantage very seriously. Every DWP office has been assessed to ensure that we are compliant with the requirements of the Equality Act 2010. Where suitable physical adaptations to buildings are not possible, the Department provides an alternative method of delivering our services where we are made aware that a customer has potential access issues, such as an appointment would be rearranged at a ground floor location or by a home visit. Where structural constraints prevent us from providing dedicated toilet facilities for our customers with disability, arrangements are made for them to be accompanied to make use of staff facilities on request.

Social Security Benefits: Medical Examinations

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, under what circumstances her Department can impose fines on the Centre of Health and Disability Assessments under the contract to provide health assessments for her Department.

Sarah Newton: The Agreement with Centre for Health and Disability Assessments for the delivery of health assessments is based on a both financial incentives and financial redress. Therefore, if the supplier does not meet key service levels, under that Agreement, the Department is able to seek financial redress.

Social Security Benefits: Medical Examinations

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much money her Department has recovered in financial penalties from (a) Centre for Health and Disability Assessments and (b) Independent Assessment Services under their contracts to provide health assessments for her Department in each of the last five years.

Sarah Newton: We are not able to disclose the amount of any service credits, gainshare or painshare due to the risk of prejudicing the commercial interests of DWP and the provider. For further information please look at the contracts finder on gov.uk.

Social Security Benefits: Medical Examinations

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many complaints her Department has received on (a) conduct during and (b) the quality of health assessments provided by the Centre of Health and Disability Assessments in each year for which information is available.

Sarah Newton: The information requested is not held by DWP. Providers have their own complaint process in place, which signposts complainants to the Independent Case Examiner (ICE) in the event that they are dissatisfied with the provider’s final response to their complaint. The Centre for Health and Disability Assessments have confirmed that they do not collate complaints specifically in relation to the information requested; however they do record complaints regarding the manner of the Healthcare Professional, the factual accuracy of the report and disputed findings. The total number of complaints received for all these categories is less than 0.25% of the total number of assessments undertaken in each contract year since 2015.

Social Security Benefits: Medical Examinations

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will ensure that (a) employment and support allowance and (b) universal credit claimants are advised by letter calling them for an health assessment that they can request that the assessment be recorded.

Sarah Newton: Anyone who is called for a work capability assessment as part of their claim for Employment and Support Allowance and Universal Credit, receives an information leaflet about the assessment process. This leaflet includes details of how they can request that their assessment is recorded.

Social Security Benefits: Medical Examinations

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps the Government takes to monitor the quality of assessments provided by (a) Centre for Health and Disability Assessments and (b) Independent Assessment Services; and if her Department will mandate the routine recording of assessments for quality purposes.

Sarah Newton: The Department robustly monitors the performance of contracted suppliers and assessments are independently audited to ensure that the advice provided to the Department’s decision makers is of suitable quality, fully explained and justified. Assessment reports deemed unacceptable are returned to the provider for reworking. We continue to work extensively with our assessment providers to make improvements to guidance and training to ensure a quality service is maintained. Every person who attends a PIP/ESA assessment can record their assessment if they want to. The Department has set standards for the recordings to make sure that the system is fair and accurately reflects the assessment. We have started to look at the costs and benefits of routinely recording assessments, however the Department has no current plans to mandate these as we believe that this should be driven by claimant choice.

Social Security Benefits: Medical Examinations

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if her Department will examine tribunal decisions for (a) employment and support allowance and (b) personal independence payments to provide guidance to health assessors to avoid the repetition of mistakes.

Sarah Newton: Where a Presenting Officer is present at a tribunal and feels it is appropriate for feedback to be provided regarding the assessment provider they do so. This includes feedback both from the tribunal panel members and the Presenting Officers on the assessment report. Feedback is collated by the Department, analysed and used to identify and make improvements to the claimant journey. The Department has recently recruited a further 150 Presenting Officers as a result of this feedback.

Social Security Benefits: Medical Examinations

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment her Department has made of the benefits of the outsourcing of health assessments to (a) Centre for Health and Disability Assessments and (b) Independent Assessment Services; and if she will make statement.

Sarah Newton: The Department considers all options, including outsourcing, when its contracts either come to contractual options to extend or expiry and this applies to contracts with both CHDA and Independent Assessment Services. An appraisal was conducted as part of recent contract extension considerations in relation to our contract with CHDA.

Employment: Learning Disability

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department plans to take to help people who have learning difficulties find work.

Sarah Newton: The Government is strongly committed to increasing opportunities for people with a learning difficulty or disability. Taking a life course approach, we are working across Government and with local authorities, voluntary organisations and employers in the public and private sectors to achieve this. On Thursday 30 November 2017 we published ‘Improving Lives the Future of Work, Health and Disability’, which sets out details of our life course approach to improving employment opportunities for disabled people and people with a health condition. Whilst the initiatives are not all aimed exclusively at people with a learning difficulty or disability, we expect that many will benefit from them. Our plans include:A proof of concept for a Tri-work Supported Work Experience offer in schools will be tested in three jobcentre districts and will provide a supported work experience placement of up to two weeks for pupils in Year 10 or 11 who have special educational needs, many of whom are likely to have a learning disability or difficulty. We have developed a Supported Work Experience aimed at offering young people with a learning disability and other long term conditions a chance to spend time with an employer whilst receiving the support they need to make the most from the opportunity. These young people will be identified by Work Coaches and other professionals who will encourage them to volunteer if it is right for them. The young person may be claiming benefit, or in the latter years of their education. A Local Supported Employment proof of concept is being delivered with nine local authorities. DWP is investing £2.7 million to test an approach which delivers Supported Employment, on an outcome-payment basis, to help people with a learning disability or learning difficulty who are known to adult care services.We are introducing 200 Community Partners to Jobcentres across Great Britain, to enhance our services to people with a disability or health condition. Community Partners have a lived experience or expert knowledge of disability and provide valuable insight into how disability can affect an individual’s employment outcomes, both in terms of securing and sustaining employment. Many of the Community Partners will have a specialism and 11 will be specialists in learning disabilities and neurodiverse conditions. Within the civil service we are expanding recruitment-related activities where pilots have shown strong results, such as a work experience programme for people on the autistic spectrum, in partnership with a specialist autism charity.

National Insurance: Immigrants

James Frith: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate her Department has made of the number of children who are living in families where the parent has indefinite leave to remain but has yet to receive a National Insurance number; and how many of those children are living in absolute poverty.

Kit Malthouse: National statistics on low income are set out in the annual "Households below Average Income" publication. The number of children in absolute low income is not available for families where the parent has indefinite leave to remain in this publication. Estimates for 2016/17 show that there were 300,000 fewer children in absolute low income than in 2010 - a record low.

National Insurance: Immigrants

James Frith: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people who have indefinite leave to remain and have reached the end of their eligibility for asylum support are waiting to receive a national insurance number.

Kit Malthouse: DWP are unaware of the numbers of asylum seekers who have been granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK however when, the Home Office grant the application for indefinite leave they forward the personal details to NINo operations and a NINo is allocated within 48 hours. From 15 January 2018 this process is applicable to the principle family member and any adult dependants aged 16 or over in the refugees family. With the NINo being allocated within 48 hours this facilitates the smooth transition from asylum support to mainstream benefits.

Work Capability Assessment

Marsha De Cordova: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to her Department's internal review in 2009 of the descriptors in the work capability assessment, if she will publish the evidential basis for the choice of descriptors used in the work capability assessment; and  whether her Department (a) consulted external bodies and (b) commissioned independent research when deciding on those descriptors.

Sarah Newton: The review engaged with medical experts, stakeholders and employers in expert case analysis and group descriptor analysis. Details of how the review was conducted and what evidence was taken into account before the group proposed descriptors for the Work Capability Assessment can be found in the published report: http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20110601194444/http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/work-capability-assessment-review.pdf In November 2010, Professor Malcolm Harrington published his Independent Review of the Work Capability Assessment, the first of five annual Independent Reviews.

Employment: Disability

Marsha De Cordova: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many private sector organisations hold level (a) one, (b) two and (c) three accreditation under the disability confident scheme; and whether there has been an independent evaluation of the effectiveness of that scheme.

Sarah Newton: We do not breakdown the businesses signed-up up to Disability Confident by Private / Public sector. The figures as at 23 March 2018 are: 5, 964 Disability Confident businesses 3,217 Disability Confident Committed employers (level 1)2,630 Disability Confident Employers (level 2)117 Disability Confident Leaders (level 3) A full list is published on the Disability Confident website at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/disability-confident-employers-that-have-signed-up. This is updated on a regular basis. We are constantly looking at ways to improve Disability Confident and have introduced a Professional Advisers Group (PAG). The PAG works with my officials to evaluate the impact of aspects of the scheme and suggest amendments and developments where appropriate. For example, we have introduced a Specialist Thematic approach, which has so far delivered two programmes focused on mental health and workplace adjustments. These programmes have been evaluated by the PAG, and suggested improvements will be incorporated into further specialist themed programmes. The PAG has also considered the impact of the scheme itself, and has recommended a number of changes which have been incorporated and disseminated recently.We have also appointed a Disability Confident Business Leaders Group (BLG), comprising senior leaders from significant British businesses across all sectors. The BLG is helping to increase engagement with employers, promoting the business benefits of disability employment, and working with my officials to identify any changes or developments that will improve the effectiveness of the scheme.We plan to conduct a more formal and robust evaluation of the Disability Confident scheme, and will be discussing this with the PAG, BLG, and other key stakeholders.

Social Security Benefits: Appeals

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of mandatory reconsiderations upheld the initial decision on (a) personal independence payments and (b) employment support allowance claims in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Sarah Newton: The number of Personal Independent Payment (PIP) mandatory reconsiderations (MRs) cleared, by decision type, can be found in the official published statistics: “Data tables: Personal Independence Payment: Official Statistics to January 2017”. The relevant data can be found in Table 7b. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/personal-independence-payment-april-2013-to-january-2018 The number of MRs for Employment Support Allowance (ESA), by decision type, can be found in the official published statistics: “ESA: outcomes of Work Capability Assessments including mandatory reconsiderations and appeals: March 2018”. The relevant data can be found in Table 14. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/esa-outcomes-of-work-capability-assessments-including-mandatory-reconsiderations-and-appeals-march-2018

Parking: Pedestrian Areas

James Frith: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Transport on the publication of a survey into the Traffic Regulations Orders specific to pavement parking which was committed to in the Accessibility Action Plan 2017.

Sarah Newton: The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has discussed the Department of Transport’s Accessibility Action Plan with the Secretary of State for Transport and has given her full support to the recommendations which will remove many barriers disabled people face. Pavement parking causes significant problems and can be a potential danger to disabled people. My colleagues in the Department of Transport are undertaking a broader piece of work to gather evidence on the issue of pavement parking including how it is addressed in current regulation. Conclusions will be shared with transport ministers later in the year.

Department for Work and Pensions: Cambridge Analytica

Deidre Brock: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether (a) her Department and (b) any of its agencies has entered into contracts with Cambridge Analytica since 2012.

Kit Malthouse: We are not aware of the Department or its agencies having entered in to any contracts with Cambridge Analytica.

Work Capability Assessment

Martyn Day: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of (a) the effect on vulnerable benefit claimants of the requirement to pay in advance for front travel costs for attendance at assessments and (b) the potential merits of introducing pre-paid travel arrangments for such claimants.

Sarah Newton: Any claimant who is required to attend an Employment and Support Allowance or Personal Independent Payment assessment will be reimbursed for any reasonable travel costs associated with attending the assessment. The Department and its assessment providers do not pay travel costs in advance and we have no plans to change the current policy which is consistent with other areas of Government such as the NHS Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme. All claimants who are required to attend an assessment are advised in their appointment letter to contact the relevant provider if they have any difficulty in attending the assessment. Where such situations arise, the Department expects the assessment providers to explore all possible options to ensure that an assessment can be conducted. For example, this may include changing the location of an assessment or undertaking a home visit where a person’s health condition indicates that either they cannot travel to an assessment, or where travel would require high levels of support or cause significant distress.

Social Security Benefits: Appeals

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the length of time assessors of (a) employment and support allowance and (b) personal independence payments have at initial assessment compared with the length of time afforded to tribunal panels.

Sarah Newton: Healthcare Professionals are encouraged to take as much time as they need during an assessment to fully understand the impact of a claimant’s condition on their everyday life. In order to provide an assessment report that is medically justified and accurate, a Health Professional must undertake extensive questioning to establish how the claimant is impacted by their condition. Depending on the health condition or impairment, assessments may also include a physical examination, sight, hearing and any other tests deemed relevant. This is a comprehensive functional assessment which is tailored to the individual needs of the claimant and as such, there are no time limits set on the duration.

Personal Independence Payment: Mental Illness

Dr Philippa Whitford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, which mental illnesses will not be recognised as disabling in the new Personal Independence Payment guidelines.

Sarah Newton: I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave on 26th March 2018 to Question UIN 133752.

Universal Credit

Angela Crawley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many applications for split payments under Universal Credit have (a) been made and (b) been granted.

Kit Malthouse: The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost. DWP statisticians are currently working to develop official statistics on Alternative Payment Arrangements for Universal Credit (UC) which will include information on split payments. These were to be included in the UC official statistics released on 21 March 2018 but due to an issue identified during the quality assurance of these figures, this has been delayed.

Department for Work and Pensions: SCL Group

Deidre Brock: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether (a) her Department and (b) any of her Department's agencies entered into contracts with Strategic Communication Laboratories in each year since 2010.

Kit Malthouse: The department’s e-procurement system does not hold any created/active/archived/terminated contracts with Strategic Communication Laboratories.

Universal Credit: Telephone Services

Danielle Rowley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the number of calls to the universal credit helpline received each week has increased since it became a free service.

Alok Sharma: Since the Freephone number went live on 29 November 2017 the number of calls received has increased. However, this remains in proportion to the growing caseload. In Universal Credit Full Service this remains steady at circa 0.7 calls per claimant per month.

Winter Fuel Payments: Scotland

Danielle Rowley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions the Scottish Government has had with her Department on the early payment of winter fuel payments to people who are off-grid; and if she will make a statement.

Guy Opperman: Policy on winter fuel payments passes to the Scottish Government under the Scotland Act 2016. We are working closely with the Scottish Government on its plans for those benefits which are devolved. The Scottish Government has, however, not approached my Department on its plans for early payment of winter fuel payments to people who are off-grid.

Universal Credit

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of extending implicit consent to universal credit to ensure that authorised third parties can assist claimants to make and manage their claim.

Alok Sharma: The online digital account, which is fundamental to the design of the full service, allows claimants access to all their personal, medical, financial and other data. As a result, the claimant ‘holds the key’ to that account at all times. Running a system of implied consent means that the risk of disclosure of this material to third parties is heightened beyond an acceptable level under existing data protection rules, and might also undermine other security features we have built into the system through personal accreditation. Claimants can now provide explicit consent by making an entry in their journal. Continuing to operate an implicit consent system is no longer necessary, and can no longer be justified.

Universal Credit

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will assess the potential merits of requiring an entry to be made in the journals of universal credit claimants' journals to confirm (a) the date on which payments made under Alternative Payment Arrangements are made to the landlord, (b) the amount paid and (c) the assessment period it represents.

Alok Sharma: There are no plans to assess the potential merits of entering information about alternative payment arrangements into claimants’ journals. The Universal Credit statement is the appropriate mechanism for detailing these payments. The journal is primarily used to support work search activity.Where housing costs are paid direct to a claimant’s landlord, the amount paid is shown on the claimant’s statement. The date of the payment and the assessment period to which it relates are also shown on the claimant’s statement.

Universal Credit

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the types of reasons are to date that have prompted a natural migration to universal credit from legacy benefits.

Alok Sharma: The Universal Credit system does not automatically record claimants’ reasons for naturally migrating to Universal Credit. To provide this information would incur disproportionate cost. Claimants naturally migrating from existing benefits to Universal Credit do so because they have had a significant change in their circumstances that would previously have triggered a new claim to an existing benefit or tax credit.

Universal Credit

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the difference in weekly benefit income is for a claimant who is migrated to universal credit from an employment and support allowance claim which entitles them to Severe Disability Premium.

Alok Sharma: For legacy benefit claimants in receipt of Severe Disability Premium, any difference in entitlement under Universal Credit depends on the claimant’s individual circumstances. Claimants currently only move from existing benefits to Universal Credit through natural migration when they experience a significant change in their circumstances that triggers a new claim to benefit. Their entitlement is then calculated on the rules of their new benefit. When we start to move legacy claimants to Universal Credit from 2019 as part of the managed migration process, they will receive transitional protection if their overall Universal Credit entitlement would be less than under the old system, provided that their circumstances remain the same.

Universal Credit: Scotland

Ian Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 14 March 2018 to Question 131814 on Universal Credit: Scotland, what the timetable is for the initial workshop on the Scottish Government's universal credit split payment policy; and what the topics to be considered will be at that workshop.

Alok Sharma: The first workshop is planned for April and any future workshops will be organised in due course. The topics under consideration will include the results of stakeholder engagement, and the existing DWP policy and processes for split payments.

Personal Independence Payment: Visual Impairment

Lloyd Russell-Moyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans her Department has to improve assessments and decision-making processes for blind and partially sighted people who claim personal independence payments.

Sarah Newton: The Department is committed to continuously improving our assessment and decision making processes and to ensuring that decisions on Personal Independence Payment (PIP) are right first time for all claimants, regardless of their condition. PIP is working better for those with a visual impairment compared to the previous benefit, Disability Living Allowance (DLA). Under DLA, 5% of all those with a visual impairment were receiving the top level of support at the end of May 2013, whereas under PIP 63% of recipients are currently receiving the highest rates. Notes:DLA and PIP data taken from Stat-Xplore (https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk)

Personal Independence Payment: Visual Impairment

Lloyd Russell-Moyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to ensure the Personal Independence Payment assessment process is accessible to people with sight loss.

Sarah Newton: We have a range of provisions in place to ensure assessments are accessible to all claimants, in line with the standards under the Equality Act 2010. Both Assessment Providers will provide on request, materials in alternative formats to meet the needs of claimants with a wide range of health conditions and impairments. This includes, but is not limited to, the provision of communications in large font material, Braille or audio format. Before attending a consultation, claimants are given the opportunity to alert the Assessment Provider to any additional requirements they may have. The Assessment Providers will endeavour to meet any reasonable requests. All assessment centres are fully accessible and the needs of all claimants are considered, including proximity to public transport routes and access to suitable parking. Where a face-to-face consultation is required, claimants are encouraged to bring a companion who can provide help and support. Both Assessment Providers regularly engage with a variety of stakeholders including sight loss charities, to review and improve the service they provide to all claimants.

Personal Independence Payment: Visual Impairment

Lloyd Russell-Moyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that personal independence payment assessors understand sight loss.

Sarah Newton: The PIP assessment is not a medical assessment requiring the assessor to diagnose a condition and recommend treatment options. The focus is on ensuring Health Care Professionals (HCPs) are experts in disability analysis, focusing on the effects of health conditions and impairments on a claimant’s daily life.All HCPs receive training on a wide range of conditions including sight loss and visual impairment. This includes detailed modules covering all aspects of sight loss and how the condition impacts on a person’s ability to undertake the activities in the PIP assessment. Both Assessment Providers employ Sensory Impairment Champions who are available to provide support and advice to HCPs at any point during the assessment process. In addition, DWP and the Assessment Providers engage with medical experts, sight loss charities and relevant stakeholders to strengthen, review and update their training programmes.

Pensions: Internet

Darren Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent progress has been made on the Pensions Dashboard Prototype project.

Guy Opperman: The Association of British Insurers (ABI) led Dashboard Project Group delivered a prototype in April 2017, this proved that technology to connect everyone with their pensions in one place can be built. Following this the ABI-led Pensions Dashboard Project published their report “Reconnecting people with their pensions” in October 2017. This set out research findings and a number of recommendations on taking forward the project.Within government DWP assumed responsibility for pensions dashboard policy from HMT on 19th October 2017. At Report stage of the Financial Guidance and Claims Bill, on 27th October, Baroness Buscombe announced that the DWP would undertake a feasibility study and she set out the aims of the study.We will be reporting the findings of the feasibility study in the Spring setting out next steps for the development and delivery of a pension dashboard.

Social Security Benefits: Pregnancy

Danielle Rowley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what information her Department holds on the number of personal independence payment and and disability living allowance assessments which were carried out on pregnant women from January 2017 to the end of February 2018.

Sarah Newton: The information requested is not held by the Department.

Social Security Benefits: Pregnancy

Danielle Rowley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department has any specific policies on personal independence payment and disability living allowance assessments for pregnant women.

Sarah Newton: There are no specific policies for pregnant women for Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment assessments.

Social Security Benefits

Danielle Rowley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department has plans automatically to split benefits payments between two partners in a relationship.

Kit Malthouse: There are currently no plans automatically to split payments between two partners in a relationship, in the same way an employee receives a single payment from their employer. Universal Credit is designed to mirror work and encourage a smooth transition into monthly paid work. In Universal Credit, couples make a joint claim to Universal Credit, both are responsible for servicing the claim, and both benefit from the claim. A single payment of Universal Credit enables people in a household clearly to see the effect of their decisions about work on their total household income. The Government believes that people within a household are best placed to make the money management choices that are most appropriate for them and a single payment enables them to do just that. In very exceptional circumstances, payment of Universal Credit can be divided between two members of the household. This is an Alternative Payment Arrangement known as a Split Payment. Split Payments are to prevent hardship to the claimant and their family and should only be considered in certain specific situations such as domestic violence, or where financial abuse occurs and one partner mismanages the Universal Credit payment. Alternative Payment Arrangements have always been available in Universal Credit, and are applied where necessary.

Home Office

Hate Crime: Social Media

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent meetings her Department has had with social media companies on tackling online hate crime.

Victoria Atkins: On 19 December 2017 the Minister responsible for Hate Crime Baroness Williams attended a seminar on online hate that was arranged by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. The seminar included representatives from Facebook, Google, Microsoft and Twitter.Officials will continue to engage with social media companies about what more they can do to tackle online hate crime.

Asylum: Voluntary Work

Alex Sobel: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make it her policy to allocate funding for volunteering opportunities for people seeking asylum in (a) Yorkshire and the Humber and (b) the UK.

Caroline Nokes: Our policy is clear that we encourage asylum seekers to seek out volunteering activities, which can provide a valuable contribution to their local community and may help them to integrate into society if they qualify for protection. However, we have no plans to allocate funding for this.

Passports: Contracts

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of the importance of local value in deciding the preferred bidder for the new contract to produce British passports.

Caroline Nokes: The preferred bidder has demonstrated that they will be best able to meet the needs of our passport service, with a high quality and secure product at the best value for money for passport customers and the taxpayer.Within their tender, the preferred bidder has committed to supporting UK-based Small Medium Enterprises, local and national charities, and to creating additional local apprenticeship places.

Passports: Contracts

Leo Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will take steps to ensure that the new British blue passports are produced in the UK.

Caroline Nokes: There is no reason to require UK passports to be manufactured in the United Kingdom. Up to 20 per cent of blank passport books are currently produced in Europe with no security or operational concerns.All passports are personalised with the holder’s details in the United Kingdom, meaning that no personal data leaves the UK. This will continue under the next passport contract.

Data Protection

Mr Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department has taken to investigate the allegations of data theft by (a) Cambridge Analytica, (b) Strategic Communications Laboratories, (c) Global Science Research, (d) Facebook and  (e) Aleksandr Kogan.

Victoria Atkins: The Secretary of State for the Home Department is not responsible for investigating data protection breaches. This is a matter for the Information Commissioner as the regulator. On 19 March, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport indicated that the Information Commissioner is looking at whether Facebook data was acquired and used illegally.

Northern Ireland Office

Northern Ireland Office: Cambridge Analytica and SCL Group

Dr Philippa Whitford: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether she has met with representatives of (a) SCL Group or (b) Cambridge Analytica.

Mr Shailesh Vara: Departments publish quarterly details of Ministers’ meetings with external organisations on GOV.UK. These can be found at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications As well as ministerial meetings, departmental officials meet external organisations on a regular and ongoing basis.

Treasury

Revenue and Customs: Correspondence

Grahame Morris: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what quality control and safeguards his Department has in place to ensure that errors in HMRC tax correspondence are identified.

Mel Stride: HMRC has procedures in place to ensure that outputs are accurate based on the information available to the Department at the time.

Mineworkers' Pension Scheme

Grahame Morris: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, for what reason incorrect tax information was included in letters recently sent by his Department to people in receipt of a mineworkers pension.

Mel Stride: I refer the Hon. Member to my answer of 21 March (UIN 132409).

Revenue and Customs: Resignations

Anneliese Dodds: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many staff are estimated to have left HMRC as a result of the Government’s Building Our Future programme to date.

Mel Stride: HMRC is reshaping to become a modern, flexible and cost-effective organisation, occupying fewer offices, and able to maximise revenue yield through increased compliance, greater capacity for digital business and by providing better, more personal services for its customers. Since commencement of HMRC’s Building Our Future Locations programme, to date, the number of confirmed related exits is 1,387. This equates to 2.1% of HMRC’s current workforce of 66,141

Aviation: VAT

John Stevenson: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much revenue was raised from VAT on flight training in the last five years for which data is available.

Mel Stride: HM Revenue and Customs does not hold information on VAT revenues that can be broken down to the requested level of detail.

Tax Allowances

Anneliese Dodds: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans his Department has to review current avenues for claiming tax relief.

Mel Stride: There are currently a number of ways to claim tax relief, depending on the tax involved and the tax status of the customer. As HM Revenue and Customs is transforming its services digitally, it is exploring opportunities to streamline and improve the ways its customers can claim the tax reliefs that Parliament intends.

Revenue and Customs: East Kilbride

Dr Lisa Cameron: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions his Department have had with (a) HMRC staff, (b) local trade union representatives and (c) the local community on the potential relocation of the East Kilbride HMRC office.

Dr Lisa Cameron: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made of the potential (a) financial risk and (b) financial savings of relocating the HMRC offices in East Kilbride as part of the digitisation process.

Mel Stride: HMRC has a variety of ways to support staff as it moves to regional centres including face to face announcements, a formal one to one process between staff and their managers, regional communications, regional engagement group meetings and regional forums. These are tailored to specific locations and audiences including those in East Kilbride. HMRC has regular discussions with the trade unions at local and national levels about the relocation to regional centres, including the moves of staff from East Kilbride to Glasgow, and it will continue to engage with them as it implements its plans. Both unions are invited to local Regional Engagement Group meetings. HMRC is retaining Queensway House, East Kilbride, as a transitional site until 2025-26. It will work with all affected groups, such as staff, unions, local councils and stakeholders across the west of Scotland to implement its strategy in the lead up to the withdrawal from East Kilbride. HMRC’s Programme Business Case for the ten-year period to 2025-26 has been reviewed by the Major Projects Review Group and was approved by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury in July 2017. HMRC’s location strategy will result in savings of more than £300 million up to 2025. The Programme will also deliver annual cash savings (compared to 2015-16 costs) of £74 million in 2025-26, rising to around £90 million by 2028.

Royal Bank of Scotland

Danielle Rowley: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Government has any responsibility to support RBS in retaining its customers.

John Glen: The Government’s shareholding in the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) is managed at arm's length and on a commercial basis through UK Financial Investments Ltd, a company which is wholly owned by the Government, with the objective of creating and protecting value for the taxpayer. RBS retains its own board which is responsible for commercial and operational decisions, including in relation to customers.

Entrepreneurs' Relief

Anneliese Dodds: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when his Department last undertook a review of entrepreneurs' relief; and what the findings of that review were.

Mel Stride: Entrepreneurs’ Relief (ER) was recently considered as part of the Patient Capital Review (PCR). The government’s full response to the PCR can be found here:https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/661398/Patient_Capital_Review_Consultation_response_web.pdf In response to the review, the government is addressing the disincentive effect from entrepreneurs’ seeing their personal shareholding diluted below the minimum 5% as a result of commercial fundraising. The technical consultation ‘Allowing Entrepreneurs’ Relief on gains made before dilution’ is currently open: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/688492/entrepreneurs_relief_consultation_web.pdf  In addition to this, HMRC published quantitative research in December 2017 into the effectiveness of ER at motivating behaviour. The findings showed relatively low levels of awareness of the relief at the point of investment, but that of those who were aware around half were influenced by it in their decision to invest. The government will continue to review the findings of this research in consultation with stakeholders.https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/capital-gains-tax-entrepreneurs-relief-behaviours-and-motivations All tax policy is kept under review, and any changes are announced by the Chancellor as part of the usual Budget process.

Revenue and Customs: Length of Service

Anneliese Dodds: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many permanent HMRC staff in post at the end of financial year 2014-15 had worked for that organisation for (a) under five years, (b) five to nine years, (c) 10 to 19 years and (d) more than 19 years.

Mel Stride: The number of people employed by HMRC for the year ending 31 March 2015 was 65,348. This figure is broken down by how long people have been employed in the Civil Service (not specifically HMRC) as follows: a) Under 5 years: 4,914 b) 5 – 9 years: 6,077 c) 10 – 19 years: 21,525 d) 19+ years: 32,832 The information is provided in this format to accurately reflect the length of service for employees who belonged to legacy departments, for example Inland Revenue, Customs & Excise and Contributions Agency as well as other Government Departments.

Carer's Allowance

Ian Murray: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to make bring forward legislative proposals to amend s.660 of the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 in respect of the tax status of the carers allowance supplement.

Mel Stride: The Government will introduce legislation if and when appropriate to ensure that any Carer’s Allowance supplement paid by the Scottish Government is taxed in accordance with the Scottish Government Fiscal Framework.

Money Laundering

Helen Goodman: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will set out all companies that have been fined by HMRC for breaching the Money Laundering Regulations 2017 after June 2017.

Mel Stride: As part of the new Money Laundering Regulations introduced in June 2017, HMRC has a duty to publish information about penalties charged under the Regulations. Publishing decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis, considering proportionality, size of penalties and any impact on the financial markets or an ongoing investigation. These considerations will inform whether HMRC publishes with full identity, anonymously or not at all in a listing on GOV.UK. HMRC is currently considering all relevant penalty cases and, where appropriate, will publish details on GOV.UK shortly and on an ongoing basis thereafter. All businesses receiving a penalty under the new regulations have been informed of HMRC’s duty to publish. This requirement was not in the Money Laundering Regulations 2007 and the details of any penalties issued under those regulations cannot be published or disclosed.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Film and Television

Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessment he has made of the effect of the UK leaving the EU on the UK television and film production sector.

Margot James: Government has been working closely with the creative industries, including the UK television and film sector, to understand the impacts and opportunities presented by our decision to leave the EU. We will continue to engage the creative industries as the UK prepares to leave and ensure any future relationship best serves the UK’s national interest, including helping the UK screen sectors to continue to thrive.

Obesity: Children

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions he has with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care tackling childhood obesity through broadcast restrictions on junk food.

Margot James: There is a clear need to address childhood obesity on health and social justice grounds and this government is committed to tackling the issue and supporting people in making healthy choices. The Secretary of State has regular discussions with his ministers and Cabinet colleagues on a number of issues pertaining to broadcasting, including advertising regulation. The UK currently places strong restrictions on the advertising of foods high in fat, salt or sugar (HFSS) in broadcast media. These state that HFSS products may not be advertised in children's media, or during programmes of which children make up over 25 per cent of the audience. The Committees of Advertising Practice regularly review and update the Advertising Codes to ensure they reflect the best available evidence of the impact of advertising on the public. Our public health priorities are kept under review as we remain committed to ensuring that the UK has a robust approach.

Sportsgrounds: Finance

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether his Department plans to provide funding for small sports clubs to renovate their stadiums.

Tracey Crouch: Government's Sporting Future strategy makes clear that investing in the right facilities in the right places is key to encouraging more people to take part in sport and physical activity and to improving the experience for those who already do. Sport England's Strategic Facilities Fund was opened in 2014/15. The aim of the fund is to provide capital investment into a number of key community projects. So far, £42 million has been invested in 33 new state of the art leisure facilities. Sport England also run the Community Asset Fund which will provide up to £15 million per year to enhance the spaces in local communities that help people to be active. Responsibility for grassroots sport is devolved and each country has a Home Nation Sports Council, sportscotland, Sport Wales and Sport NI in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland respectively

Mobile Phones: Ochil and South Perthshire

Luke Graham: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what estimate his Department has made of the number of mobile phone masts in Ochil and South Perthshire constituency.

Margot James: We have made no such estimate.

Cambridge Analytica

Joanna Cherry: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions he has had with the Information Commissioner on Cambridge Analytica.

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport,  what recent discussions he has had with the Information Commissioner on Cambridge Analytica.

Margot James: Ministers have been in regular contact with the Information Commissioner on this matter.

Tickets: Sales

Ged Killen: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of requiring secondary ticketing websites to state that they are (a) secondary sellers and (b) resale market places.

Margot James: We are determined to crackdown on unacceptable behaviour in the online ticketing market and improve fans’ chances of buying tickets at a reasonable price. We recognise that Government can’t act alone in addressing this issue, and that the ticketing industry and online platforms need to take actions themselves. The Government therefore welcomes the announcement by Google requiring ticket resellers to be certified before they can advertise through its AdWords platform, and trust that it will be working to ensure its effectiveness, and that it will take action to enforce compliance with the new rules.

Tickets: Sales

Ged Killen: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing a percentage cap on the amount that tickets can be sold above face value on secondary ticketing websites.

Margot James: The Government has a continuing interest in the area of secondary ticketing, and recognises the process of distributing and buying tickets can often be a cause for public frustration and concern. We are determined to crackdown on unacceptable behaviour and improve fans’ chances of buying tickets at a reasonable price. We have strengthened the Consumer Rights Act 2015 in this area, and will shortly be introducing secondary legislation to make it an offence to purchase more tickets than that permitted by an event organiser online. An independent review of consumer protection measures was commissioned by the Government in 2015, undertaken by Professor Waterson, which was published in May 2016. The Government published its response to the review on 13th March 2017, which welcomed the Review and accepted all nine recommendations contained in the review in full. Professor Waterson specifically considered the issue of a cap on ticket resale prices, and we agree with his conclusion that it should not be taken forward as it would raise a number of practical considerations and be of limited effect, as it would be extremely difficult to enforce.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Retail Trade: Carbon Emissions

Alex Chalk: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps the Government is taking to encourage high street retailers to reduce their carbon footprint.

Claire Perry: Achieving clean growth, while ensuring an affordable energy supply for businesses is at the heart of the UK’s Industrial Strategy, and the Government is taking steps to encourage high street retailers to reduce their carbon footprint. Minimum energy efficiency standards and energy labelling regulations for energy-using products are making lighting and appliances that they buy more energy efficient. The Energy Technology List encourages high street retailers to invest in the most energy efficient plant and machinery, as part of the Enhanced Capital Allowance (ECA) for energy-saving technologies. Through energy efficiency programmes such as the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) and Climate Change Agreements (CCAs), high street retailers are encouraged to make improvements to the way in which they use energy. We also require certain companies to measure and report their energy use and carbon emissions. This helps them to lower their energy costs, gain a better understanding of exposure to the risks of climate change, and demonstrate leadership to strengthen their green credentials in the marketplace. We have recently consulted on proposals to introduce a new and streamlined energy and carbon reporting framework. Government provides support to businesses, public sector and non-profit organisations in meeting the cost of installing renewable heat technologies through the non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). The scheme is designed to bridge the gap between the cost of fossil fuel heat sources and renewable and low carbon heat alternatives through financial support for owners of participating installations. The Government is also committed to ensuring that small businesses in the country are offered a smart meter by the end 2020. Smart metering will give high street retailers access to the information they need to understand and manage their energy use better, save money on bills and reduce carbon emissions. There is also a role for behaviour change in emissions reduction. The government has published guidance to help businesses, especially SMEs, identify simple measures like not having doors propped open for convenience, which can help save up to 30% of heating costs.

Energy: Prices

Deidre Brock: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what evidence his Department holds of energy retail price caps having been successfully introduced into competitive markets in other jurisdictions.

Claire Perry: We have considered many international models but market conditions are different to the situation in GB. The Government has introduced a Bill that requires the industry regulator to cap poor value standard variable and default tariffs. This follows the Competition and Markets Authority investigation which found that domestic customers of the Big 6 energy companies pay on average £1.4bn a year more than they would in a truly competitive market. The Bill requires Ofgem to set the cap so as to protect consumers and have regard to the need to, among other things, enable competition between suppliers and ensure suppliers can finance their licenced activities.

Wind Power

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the Government’s policy is on onshore wind farming; and what plans he has to encourage growth in that sector when implementing the Industrial Strategy.

Claire Perry: The Government’s policy is clear on onshore wind farming: that we do not believe that new large scale onshore wind power is right for England but in other areas where there is public support it can be developed. Further deployment in this sector is expected, supported by existing Government schemes such as the Contracts for Difference (CfD), and Feed In Tariff (FIT) which will aid delivery of cheap, clean and reliable energy in line with the aims of the Industrial Strategy.The Government has also secured state aid approval to classify remote island wind as a separate technology in Group 2 of the CFD scheme. The Clean Growth Strategy announced that we would provide up to £557m in total of annual funding for future CFD auctions. We have consulted on how the Government could support the development of onshore wind projects on remote islands, where they benefit local communities, and are currently considering the responses we have received.

Wind Power: Scotland

Jamie Stone: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential merits to the Scottish manufacturing sector of the development of floating offshore wind technology.

Claire Perry: Offshore wind is a success story for the UK. Government support has enabled investment, cost reduction and building a supply chain across different parts of the UK including Scotland. We will look to build on this success as part of our Industrial Strategy. Floating offshore wind is still at a demonstration phase. However, the technology is eligible to compete in the Contracts for Difference auctions which incentivise developers and supply chains to innovate and reduce costs. If the technology can demonstrate that it can compete with other forms of generation, the manufacturing sector may be able to benefit from UK deployment and potential exports.

Nuclear Power: Consultants

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 8 February 2018 to Question 126434 and with reference to House of Commons Library Deposited Paper, DEP2018-0202, if he will publish the reports provided to his Department under the project titles listed under Column C; and if he will make a statement.

Richard Harrington: Some of the reports are already available in the public domain and we plan to make available all reports that can be published. However, some of the reports cannot be published for reasons including:Commercial sensitivityLegal professional privilegeImplications for national security

Fracking: Employment

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with the Prime Minister's oral contribution of 25 October 2017, Official Report, column 300, what the evidential basis is for shale gas to support thousands of jobs in the oil and gas industries and in other sectors; and if he will make a statement.

Claire Perry: The evidence for the contribution was from two reports from Ernst and Young and the Institute of Directors (entitled “Getting Ready for UK Shale Gas” and “Getting Shale Gas Working” respectively). The reports concluded that development of shale gas in the UK could provide thousands of jobs in areas of exploration and production. The economic impact of shale, both locally and nationally will depend on the level of production; but there will clearly be opportunities for UK firms. To determine the potential of the industry, we need exploration to go ahead which Government is encouraging.

Coal Fired Power Stations

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, which UK coal-fired power stations supplied the National Grid during the week commencing 26 February 2018; and if he will make a statement.

Claire Perry: All seven of Great Britain’s active coal plants generated at some point in the week commencing 26 February. These are; West Burton, Eggborough, Aberthaw B, Fiddlers Ferry, Ratcliffe, Drax and Cottam. This is in line with the normal functioning of the electricity market.We have announced measures to ensure that all unabated coal generation will close by 2025. In the meantime, coal can be an important bridge to new, lower-carbon technologies, including gas, and can provide important and economic capacity in the interim period until coal units close.

Energy: Prices

Alex Chalk: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that consumers can access the cheapest energy tariffs without the need to install a smart meter.

Claire Perry: There are now over 60 suppliers operating in the domestic energy market, some of which offer very competitive prices, especially for fixed term tariffs. We have already halved the time it takes to switch supplier to 21 days (including the statutory cooling off period). Ofgem is leading a programme across industry to introduce faster and more reliable switching by 2020. Smart metering will make it easier and more convenient for consumers to engage with their energy use so they can reduce their bills and identify the best tariff and energy supplier for their needs. Smart Energy GB, who are responsible for national consumer engagement on smart meters, have found that 86% of people with a smart meter said they made energy saving changes to their behaviour.

Private Sector: Leave

Hugh Gaffney: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment his Department has made of the number of companies, restaurant chains and shops that require staff to organise their own cover before taking leave to which they are entitled.

Andrew Griffiths: The Department has not made such an assessment

Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the recommendations directed towards the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate arising from the Cabinet Office's Regulatory Futures Review, published in January 2017.

Andrew Griffiths: The Employment Agency Standards (EAS) Inspectorate is currently working with the Health & Safety Laboratory (HSL) - part of the Health & Safety Executive - on developing HSL’s Find-IT tool to link a number of datasets together. This will help EAS further develop its intelligence functionality whilst also improving its ability to maximise its resources. EAS are also working with HSL and other Government Departments on developing a wider information sharing protocol. This work is on-going.

Energy: Meters

Dr Alan Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what his policy is on a further extension of the smart meter SMETS1 end date.

Claire Perry: We have no plans to further extend the SMETS1 end date.

Carbon Capture and Storage

Dr Alan Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what progress he has made on finding a business model for carbon capture storage and utilisation which goes beyond enhanced oil recovery to date.

Claire Perry: The Clean Growth Strategy set out the Government’s new direction on carbon capture, usage and storage (CCUS). This included a commitment to review the delivery and investment frameworks for CCUS. This is now underway and a report examining the business models for transporting and storing carbon dioxide was published in January 2018[1].Further to this, the CCUS Cost Challenge Taskforce, established in February 2018 and comprising over forty industry representatives, will also consider possible business models for CCUS. The Taskforce will deliver their report by summer 2018.[1] https://www.gov.uk/guidance/uk-carbon-capture-and-storage-government-funding-and-support

Carbon Capture and Storage

Dr Alan Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions he has had with the Committee on Climate Change on the advancement of carbon capture storage and utilisation.

Claire Perry: Officials in the Department hold regular discussions with the Committee on Climate Change, on subjects including carbon capture, usage and storage (CCUS).

Carbon Capture and Storage

Dr Alan Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when the Government plans to respond to the Oxburgh Report on carbon capture storage and utilisation.

Claire Perry: My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Lord Henley) responded in a letter to Lord Oxburgh on 15 January 2018 on the recommendations made in the Parliamentary Advisory Group’s report on carbon capture and storage. A copy of the letter was deposited in the Library of the House and is available at:http://data.parliament.uk/DepositedPapers/Files/DEP2018-0025/Lord_Oxburgh_KBb_Carbon_Capture_Usage_and_Storage.pdfAs set out in Lord Henley’s letter, the recommendations made in the report have been considered in the development of our new approach to CCUS, as set out in the Clean Growth Strategy, and will continue to be a consideration in the shaping our ongoing work.

Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme

Dr Alan Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he has plans to re-target the Renewable Heat Incentive towards lower carbon forms of heating; and if he will make a statement.

Claire Perry: The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) has always been focussed on low carbon heating. The government is reforming the RHI to ensure it focusses better on long-term decarbonisation – through technologies such as biomethane and heat pumps - and offers better value for money. These reforms were set out in December 2016 in the response to the consultation ‘The Renewable Heat Incentive: A Reformed and Refocused scheme’. The first stage of the reforms were enacted in September 2017 and further regulations are currently in Parliament.

Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme

Dr Alan Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions he has had with the Committee on Climate Change on re-targeting the Renewable Heat Incentive towards lower carbon forms of heating.

Claire Perry: BEIS ministers and officials are in regular contact with the Committee on Climate Change on a range of issues including the contribution of low carbon heat from the Renewable Heat Incentive towards the UK’s carbon budgets.

District Heating

Dr Alan Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he plans to establish a public database of UK heat networks; and if he will make a statement.

Claire Perry: The Heat Metering and Billing Regulations 2014 require heat suppliers to notify the Secretary of State if they have an existing heat network and how it is complying with the Regulations. An initial set of aggregated statistics on a small sample of notification data that had been quality assured were published in February 2017 and can be found here. Summary statistics on a much larger portion of quality assured data are planned to be released as part of Energy Trends on 29 March 2018. There are no plans to establish a public database containing details of individual existing UK heat networks. Additionally, the Heat Networks Delivery Unit has recently started to publish quarterly reports on heat networks projects in the development pipeline, which will act as public database of potential future heat networks. These reports can be found at this link.

Housing Improvement: Landlords

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate he has made of the number of people who will benefit from the landlords' liability fund for improving dwellings being set at (a) £2,500 and (b) £5,000.

Claire Perry: The recent consultation on the domestic Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property)(England and Wales) Regulations 2015 proposed to introduce a capped landlord funding contribution. The Department estimates the policy to affect 280,000 properties across England and Wales that will all benefit from some energy efficiency improvements. If the landlord contribution is capped at £2,500 per property, 85,000 homes will reach Energy Performance Certificate band E, whereas if the cap is set at £5,000, 118,000 homes will achieve band E. The remaining properties under both options will receive some energy efficiency improvements but will not achieve band E. Full details of the policy options under considerations and the complete consultation stage impact assessment are available via the gov.uk consultation hub.

Energy: Housing

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the (a) level of further cost-effective energy efficiency measures that could be installed in homes and (b) effect of those measures on the energy bills of those households.

Claire Perry: (a) There is a large range of cost effective energy efficiency measures households could install in their homes. Each household has its own set of energy requirements. However, so a measure that is cost effective for one household may not be cost effective for another. The recent consultation impact assessment for the revised Private Rental Sector Regulations (see table 3a) shows the types of measures we expect to be installed to improve Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Band F and G properties to band E[1]. This gives an indication, for each budget cap, of the likely mix of measures we would expect to be a cost effective way to improve the energy performance of homes. (b) As set out in the Clean Growth Strategy, upgrading the energy performance of homes can lead to significant bill savings for consumers. For example, the annual running costs of an EPC Band C rated home are £270 lower than the average Band D rated home and £650 less than the average Band E home. [1] https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/669214/PRS_Consultation_stage_IA.pdf

Energy: Storage

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to action number 1.2 on page 21 of Upgrading Our Energy System Smart Systems and Flexibility Plan, published in July 2017, when the Government plans to amend the Electricity Act 1989 in line with that action.

Claire Perry: In the Smart Systems and Flexibility Plan, the Government committed to amend the Electricity Act 1989 to define electricity storage as a distinct subset of generation. We committed to do this when parliamentary time allows. This is an important measure to improve regulatory clarity for electricity storage, and one that we will honour.

Energy: Meters

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that savings from the roll-out of smart meters will be passed on to consumers.

Claire Perry: Holding answer received on 26 March 2018



Smart metering will give consumers the tools they need – through access to energy consumption data – to take control of their energy use. Consumers can start saving energy from the moment their smart meter is installed. In a recent survey Smart Energy GB found that 86% of people with a smart meter said they made energy saving changes to their behaviour. Suppliers have a strong incentive to keep costs down. If suppliers do not deliver the programme cost-efficiently, they risk losing customers to their competitors. Smart meters will help improve engagement and competition. The Programme will give households the information to allow them to be more active consumers and more easily act upon poor service of expensive tariffs, by being able to switch suppliers quickly and simply. Ahead of that, the Government is introducing legislation to cap poor value standard variable and default tariffs.

Employment: Mothers

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department plans to take to help women get back into work after maternity leave.

Andrew Griffiths: A woman has the right to return to the same job if she has taken 26 weeks of maternity leave or less. If she has taken more than 26 weeks of maternity leave, she has the right to return to the same job or another job which is suitable and appropriate, if it is not reasonably practicable to give her the same job. It is also possible for a woman to work up to 10 days during a period of maternity leave (with her employer’s agreement) without bringing her maternity leave or entitlement to statutory maternity pay to an end. These days are called ‘keeping in touch days’.The Shared Parental Leave and Pay scheme can make it easier for a mother, if she wishes, to return to work sooner by curtailing part of her maternity entitlement to provide for shared parental leave and/or pay for the father or her partner to take, subject to eligibility and compliance with the correct notification requirements. The Government is currently running a communication campaign to promote the scheme. Flexible working can also help a returning mother balance her work with other responsibilities. In addition to the statutory right to request flexible working, we have established a Flexible Working Taskforce to work with groups representing business, workers and relevant interests, to respond to the Prime Minister’s call to businesses to make flexible working a reality for all employees by advertising all jobs as flexible from Day 1, unless there are solid business reasons not to.

Tidal Power: Swansea Bay

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent discussions his Department has had with the Welsh Government onthe Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon.

Claire Perry: Holding answer received on 26 March 2018



Ministers and officials in the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy regularly discuss matters of mutual interest with their counterparts in the devolved administrations.

Energy: Prices

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many (a) domestic and (b) small non-domestic energy customers are presently on time of use tariffs.

Claire Perry: Holding answer received on 26 March 2018



As of 31st December 2016, in Great Britain, there were 4.4 million domestic time of use (Economy 7 type meters). Of these, BEIS estimate that there were around 3.1 million domestic customers on Economy 7 or 10 tariffs. While a number of suppliers are offering time of use and other innovative tariffs enabled by smart metering and elective half-hourly settlement, we do not have information on the number of domestic customers on these types of tariffs. As of 31st December 2016, in Great Britain, there were around 500,000 non-domestic profile 4 Economy 7 type meters (used by small non-domestic customers). However some properties with Economy 7 meters will be on single rate tariffs. Source:An estimate for the number of Economy 7 meters in Great Britain can be found here:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/regional-and-local-authority-electricity-consumption-statistics

Energy: Meters

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 5 February 2018 to Question 125469, what the difference is between the installation cost figures used in the 2016 cost-benefit analysis update and energy suppliers’ current data on installation costs; and what effect the current data on installations will have on his policy on smart meter installation.

Claire Perry: Holding answer received on 27 March 2018



The 2016 Cost-Benefit Analysis shows that after all costs have been considered, the rollout of smart meters overall is set to deliver £5.7bn of benefits over the lifetime of the programme. The Cost-Benefit analysis took account of real-world data on installations from energy suppliers. The Department plans to update its Cost-Benefit analysis in 2019, informed by the latest available costs.

Energy: Meters

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 20 February to Question 127494, on Energy: Meters, what progress has been made on ensuring all SMETS1 meters (a) are interoperable and (b) can be connected to the DCC.

Claire Perry: Holding answer received on 27 March 2018



The Government’s objective from the start of the rollout has been for SMETS1 meters to be enrolled into the Data and Communications Company (DCC), so that consumers can keep their smart services when they switch energy supplier. The DCC is working on a project to move SMETS1 meters into its national system from late 2018. SMETS1 meters have already been helping millions of consumers to understand their energy use better, which is why eight of ten people would recommend them to family or friends.

Employment

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many (a) men, and (b) women have been in precarious employment in each year since 2011.

Andrew Griffiths: Holding answer received on 27 March 2018



The Government does not have a formal definition for precarious employment. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) provides data on various working patterns and contract type (e.g. temporary employees) as part of its Labour Market Statistics, and this data is available by gender: https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/employmentandemployeetypes/bulletins/uklabourmarket/march2018

Mineworkers' Pension Scheme

Lesley Laird: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many times his Department has met the Trustees of the Mineworkers Pension Scheme to discuss the surplus-sharing agreement in the last twelve months; and what actions were taken as a result of those meetings.

Claire Perry: Officials have held seven meetings with the Mineworkers Pension Scheme Trustees during the last year, though none of these was specifically to discuss the surplus sharing agreement.

Public Houses: Closures

Gill Furniss: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate he has made of the number of pubs that have closed in each UK constituency in the last five years.

Richard Harrington: The Department does not compile statistics on pub closures and has made no estimate of the number of pubs that have closed.The Government recognises the important role pubs play in local communities. My right hon. Friend Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer announced at Autumn Budget 2017 that he was freezing all alcohol duties and extending the package of support for pubs in England with their business rates by an additional year into 2018/19. This provided a £1,000 discount to all pubs with a rateable value of less than £100,000.

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Grenfell Tower: Fires

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 14 March 2018 to Question 131688, which local authorities have rehoused the 64 households located outside the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

Dominic Raab: Holding answer received on 22 March 2018



Data from the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea shows that on 20 March, the number of households rehoused, or in temporary or emergency accommodation, outside of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea was 61. In the aftermath of the fire, the majority of emergency accommodation offered to households was either inside or close to the boundary of the borough. It is up to the households to decide whether they accept temporary or permanent accommodation outside of the borough.Those rehoused, or in temporary or emergency accommodation, outside the borough have been offered homes in Westminster, Hammersmith & Fulham, Richmond upon Thames, Islington and Tower Hamlets, Ealing, Harrow, Camden and Lambeth.

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Procurement

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 15 March 2018 to Question 131885 on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: procurement, if he will provide details of the value of each contractor and the name of the contractor for each contract referred to.

Jake Berry: Contract values of suppliers, along with related services, can be found below:  SupplierServicesTotal contract valueVodafonePSN WAN Circuits; Mobile Telephony; GSI/GCF email scanning services£3,146,072OracleIT Hardware Maintenance and Support; Software Assurance and Licensing£700,335FujitsuFull IT System Integration Services relating to IT Desktop and Line of Business Applications£30,043,488CapitaProvision of specialist contractors£7,316,997AtkinsTechnical contract management support£500,000AtkinsBusiness Process Outsourcing£221,028MicrosoftSupport services (Premier Support);£230,000MicrosoftOffice 365 Subscription Licences (purchased via a re-seller - the licences are with Microsoft)£2,407,808

Empty Property

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has plans to requisition empty (a) flats and (b) houses that have been used for (i) speculation and (ii) money laundering purposes to help reduce street homelessness.

Mrs Heather Wheeler: The Government currently has no plans to requisition empty homes that have been used for speculation or money laundering for this specific purpose.We are continuing to support local authorities to encourage efficient use of our existing stock, making best use of homes that are long-term empty to increase the supply of housing. At Autumn Budget, we announced proposals to strengthen the powers available to local authorities to tackle empty homes. Local authorities will be able to charge a 100 per cent council tax premium (currently 50 per cent) to homes that have been empty for more than two years.This Government is also committed to preventing and reducing homelessness in England. That is why we are aiming to halve rough sleeping by 2022 and eliminate it altogether by 2027. We are investing over £1.2 billion to reduce homelessness and rough sleeping in England by 2020. This includes a £100 million programme for low-cost move on accommodation to enable people leaving hostels and refuges to make a sustainable recovery from a homelessness crisis into independent living.

Planning Permission

Judith Cummins: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has plans for infrastructure utility providers to become statutory consultees on planning applications.

Dominic Raab: The current policy and legislative framework already provides for the engagement of infrastructure utility providers in the planning system.The National Planning Policy Framework asks local planning authorities to work with infrastructure providers to assess the quality and capacity of infrastructure and its ability to meet forecast demands during the plan-making process.Local planning authorities are able to consult utility providers where appropriate. Where a utility provider raises issues that are material to the determination of the application in question, local planning authorities must take these into account in reaching a decision.

Ministry of Defence

Defence Nuclear Biological and Chemical Centre

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much was spent on the Defence, Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Centre in each of the last five years.

Guto Bebb: The information requested for the Defence, Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Centre at Winterbourne Gunner is set out below:  Financial Year£2013-14384,0002014-15194,0002015-16318,0002016-17276,0002017-18 (to 28 Feb 2018)538,000 Figures include operating and training costs together with equipment support and minor works, but exclude staff costs.

Army Foundation College: Inspections

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reasons AFC Harrogate has not been inspected for welfare and duty of care issues since 2012.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: Training establishments are subject to a range of assurance inspections. The Welfare and Duty of Care of all our personnel remains a top priority with continuous activities ongoing to ensure its robust delivery.AFC Harrogate has been internally audited by the Army for welfare and duty of care issues since the Ofsted inspection in 2012. It may be of interest to the Honourable Member that Ofsted carried out an inspection of AFC Harrogate in October 2017, the final report for which will be published in the summer 2018.

Syria: Peacekeeping Operations

Lloyd Russell-Moyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many British military personnel are operating in Syria; from which regiments did they come from; and where in that country those personnel are based.

Mark Lancaster: Approximately 600 RAF personnel are deployed across the Middle East, supporting and conducting counter-Daesh operations over Syria, in support of partner forces on the ground.

Syria: Armed Conflict

Lloyd Russell-Moyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which armed opposition groups in Syria are being trained by UK armed forces; and where that training is taking place.

Mark Lancaster: UK Armed Forces are not training armed opposition groups in or from Syria.

Saudi Arabia: Military Aid

Lloyd Russell-Moyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Saudi Royal Airforce pilots have been trained under UK military programmes or under programmes supported by the UK military; and how many such pilots so trained the Government knows have flown combat missions in Yemen.

Mark Lancaster: Information is not held centrally on the number of Saudi pilots trained under UK military programmes or under programmes supported by the UK military. Saudi pilots have been trained under the umbrella of the long-standing government-to-government arrangements for over 30 years and further, detailed information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.The Government does not hold the information requested on how many of those so trained might have flown combat missions in Yemen.

Saudi Arabia: Military Aid

Lloyd Russell-Moyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether (a) UK armed forces and (b) BAE Systems has a role in helping to maintain or repair Saudi aircraft being used in the war in Yemen.

Guto Bebb: The UK continues to provide routine engineering support for UK-supplied aircraft under long-standing government-to-government arrangements.The UK Government's obligation under these arrangements to provide such support is fulfilled by BAE Systems. UK military personnel on secondment to BAE Systems also provide routine engineering support. Neither UK military nor BAE Systems personnel are involved in the loading of weapons for operational sorties, nor are they involved in the planning of operational sorties.

Ministry of Defence: Cambridge Analytica and SCL Group

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has (a) had any contact and (b) held any contracts with Cambridge Analytica or its parent company SCL Group Limited or as formerly named Strategic Communication Laboratories Limited since 2010; and if he will make a statement.

Guto Bebb: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has never entered into a contract with Cambridge Analytica.Since 2010, SCL Group has held two contracts with the MOD: one ended in February 2010 and the other in July 2014.

Egypt: Armed Forces

Lloyd Russell-Moyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the number of Egyptian military officers who have been trained in the UK in each of the last five years.

Mark Lancaster: In the past five years, 56 Egyptian military officers have been trained in the UK; seven in 2013-14; nine in 2014-15; eight in 2015-16; 16 in 2016-17; and 16 in 2017-18.

Ministry of Defence: Cambridge Analytica and SCL Group

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether (a) Cambridge Analytica and (b) SCL Group is approved to hold international partners information classified as confidential and above.

Guto Bebb: Neither Cambridge Analytica nor SCL Group are permitted to hold international partners' information, at confidential or above, at any of their UK facilities.

Military Bases: York

Julian Sturdy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans his Department has to retain civilian support jobs in York following the planned closure of Queen Elizabeth Barracks and Imphal Barracks.

Guto Bebb: Future planning for the civilian support jobs based in York are still in progress and the Department will work with the local Authority and the Government Property Agency to explore potential opportunities to keep civilian posts within the local area.Civilian personnel will be managed in accordance with normal Departmental Policy and processes and formal Trades Union consultation will occur in advance of any site closure.

Burma: Joint Exercises

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he had with the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on the attendance of members of the Myanmar military at the recent Cobra Gold joint military exercise.

Mark Lancaster: Cobra Gold is not a UK-led exercise and thus decisions about invitees are not for the UK.

Ministry of Defence: Land

Deidre Brock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to transfer surplus MoD land to local authorities in Scotland at no cost.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: Any land or property which is surplus to Ministry of Defence requirements is disposed of in accordance with Treasury guidelines for Managing Public Money and Government policy.

NATO

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the UK contribution will be to NATO's new Joint Support and Enabling Command.

Mark Lancaster: The configuration and requirements for the Joint Support and Enabling Command are being developed within SACEUR's Implementation Plan for the NATO Command Structure Adaptation. This will be refined ahead of an announcement at the NATO Summit in July. It is too early to define the UK's exact contribution but it will be consistent with the UK's leading role in the Alliance and with a fair share of the burden alongside our Allies.

NATO: Navy

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking with NATO Maritime Command to increase awareness of naval readiness across the NATO alliance.

Mark Lancaster: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is working closely with the NATO Maritime Command (MARCOM), based in Northwood, London, on a range of defence and security issues including the development of naval readiness initiatives. One example is the 'Ships Available At Sea For NATO Tasking' concept that is facilitating the integration of ships from any NATO Ally, or approved Partner Nation, into a NATO-led operation at any time.This work supports a wider "NATO Readiness Initiative" that will strengthen NATO's readiness and operational flexibility by committing more naval capabilities to collective defence. We will continue to discuss this proposal with MARCOM in advance of the NATO Summit in July, where readiness as a whole will be a focus for the Alliance.

Scotland Office

Scotland Office: Cambridge Analytica

Deidre Brock: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether (a) his Department and (b) any of its agencies has entered into contracts with Cambridge Analytica since 2012.

David Mundell: No. Since January 2011, details of central government contracts above the value of £10,000 are published on Contracts Finder. Contracts published prior to 26 February 2015 can be viewed at:https://data.gov.uk/data/contracts-finder-archive Those published after 26 February 2015 can be viewed at:https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Search

Scotland Office: Cambridge Analytica and SCL Group

Stewart Malcolm McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he has met representatives of (a) SCL Group, (b) Strategic Communication Laboratories and (c) Cambridge Analytica in the last five years.

David Mundell: Holding answer received on 27 March 2018



I have not met representatives of SCL Group, Strategic Communication Laboratories or Cambridge Analytica in the last five years. Departments publish quarterly details of Ministers’ meetings with external organisations on GOV.UK. These can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications.As well as ministerial meetings, departmental officials meet external organisations on a regular and ongoing basis.

Scotland Office: Cambridge Analytica and SCL Group

Patrick Grady: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether his Department or its agencies has entered into contracts with SCL group or Cambridge Analytica.

David Mundell: Holding answer received on 27 March 2018



The Scotland Office and its arm’s length body, the Boundary Commission for Scotland, have not entered into any contracts with the SCL group or Cambridge Analytica.

Scotland Office: SCL Group

Deidre Brock: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether (a) his Department and (b) any of his Department's agencies entered into contracts with Strategic Communication Laboratories in each year since 2010.

David Mundell: The Scotland Office and its arm’s length body, the Boundary Commission for Scotland, have not entered into any contracts with Strategic Communication Laboratories.

Department for International Trade

Department for International Trade: Staff

Geraint Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade pursuant to the Answer of 31 January 2018 to Question 12507 on Department for International trade: staff, if his Department will publish data on the (a) qualifications that staff of his Department hold at Grade 7 or above, (b) number of years' experience in each area of responsibility each member of staff had prior to taking up their post within his Department and (c) length of time each member of staff has been in post.

Greg Hands: The Department for International Trade plans to publish its organisational chart in May 2018, in accordance with the guidelines set by the Cabinet Office for the transparency agenda. Data on the qualifications, experience, and post length will not be published as part of this, and DIT has no further plans to publish this data.

UK Trade With EU

Geraint Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 31 January 2018 to Question 125208 on UK trade with the EU and with reference to each agreement mentioned at the URL provided in that Answer, how many (a) staff and (b) non-staff are involved in (a) replicating the agreement and (b) involved in a negotiating role with third countries; what level of experience is required for staff involved in such negotiations; and how many similar negotiations those staff have previously participated in.

Greg Hands: The task of ensuring continuity of EU trade agreements, is a cross-government project, drawing from resource in the Department for International Trade's 500-strong Trade Policy Group (TPG), and working closely with expertise in a range of sectors from other government departments.TPG has staff with international negotiating experience in a wide range of international organisations, including EU institutions. Over 115 TPG staff have worked on, or represented, UK interests in bilateral and multilateral free trade arrangements, including at the WTO.

UK Trade With EU

Geraint Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 31 January 2018 to Question 125208 on UK trade with the EU, whether any third countries have made any proposals for commitments that could result in a material difference from those in the agreement that is being replicated.

Greg Hands: Our partners understand that providing continuity in our existing trading arrangements is a technical exercise and that we are currently limited in what we can negotiate due to our continuing EU membership, and that timescales make renegotiation difficult.Partners, as the UK, wish to ensure that their businesses and consumers don't lose market access as a result of the UK leaving the EU.

Trade Agreements

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what plans his Department has to begin formal negotiations on trade deals with (a) Australia, (b) New Zealand, (c) Canada and (d) the United States of America during the implementation period provided for in the UK-EU withdrawal agreement; and if he will make a statement.

Greg Hands: The Government has established working groups and high level dialogues with a range of key trade partners, including Canada, the United States, Australia and New Zealand.In addition to seeking continuity for our existing EU trade agreements, including the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), our priority is to be in a position to begin formal negotiations with key partners, including the US, Australia and New Zealand, immediately after we leave the EU and to take these negotiations forward during the Implementation Period,

Department for International Trade: Cambridge Analytica and SCL Group

Kirsty Blackman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether he has met representatives of (a) SCL Group and (b) Cambridge Analytica.

Greg Hands: Holding answer received on 26 March 2018



My Rt Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade has not met representatives of SCL Group or Cambridge Analytica.

Developing Countries: Trade Agreements

Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of UK trade agreements with developing countries on the economies of those countries after the UK leaves the EU.

Greg Hands: Britain is an international leader on development, and the Department for International Trade is working with Department for International Development to ensure global prosperity is at the heart of our future trade policy.We are committed to ensuring developing countries can use trade as an engine of poverty reduction, and trade agreements play an important role in this.In 2016, the UK's total bilateral trade with countries that receive preferential access through unilateral preferences or Economic Partnership Agreements was £58bn.Our first priority is to deliver continuity in our trading arrangements on leaving the EU.In the future, the Government will also explore options to expand our relationships with developing countries.

Department for Transport

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency: Regulation

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the recommendations directed towards the DVSA arising from the Cabinet Office's Regulatory Futures Review, published in January 2017.

Jesse Norman: The Regulatory Futures Review highlighted some of the regulated self-assurance and earned recognition opportunities that were already being explored by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). DVSA’s earned recognition scheme for vehicle operators is now live and a list of participating operators is available on GOV.UK via the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dvsa-earned-recognition-for-vehicle-operators-list-of-operators-taking-part.

Roads: Safety

Martin Whitfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to support the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety.

Jesse Norman: The Department’s “British Road Safety Statement” published in December 2015 sets out the Government’s commitment to actions that do support the UN Decade for Road Safety. This includes measures to improve safety and reduce deaths for vulnerable road users such as cyclists, pedestrians and motorcyclists. It also includes enhancing road infrastructure and encouraging improved learning and road behaviour. There are also actions on tackling mobile phone use whilst driving.

Severn River Crossing: Tolls

Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the effect of the abolition of the M4 second Severn Crossing tolls on 31 December 2018 on levels of road congestion on the M4 between Bristol and Cardiff.

Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what traffic modelling his Department has carried out to predict the effect of the abolition of tolls on the M4 second Severn Crossing on levels of road congestion on the M4 between Bristol and Cardiff.

Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the evidential basis is for the abolition of tolls on the M4 second Severn Crossing leading to a reduction in peak-time congestion on the M4 between Bristol and Cardiff.

Jesse Norman: Prior to the Severn Crossings consultation in 2017 the Government modelled several policy options. Modelling results for future traffic and congestion impacts are available for certain strategic roads, including the M4 between Bristol and Cardiff, comparing toll levels prior to the recent end of concession continuing and a scenario with no toll from 2018. For 2022, with the previously existing toll, the modelling shows a section of the M4 adjacent to Bristol, specifically between junctions 20 and 21 westbound, would be operating with traffic levels above free flow capacity. With no toll, the modelling shows that the free flow capacity is exceeded more often. The removal of toll barriers is expected to speed up traffic in the immediate vicinity of the crossing, since there will no longer be a need to queue to pay. The modelling enabled estimates to be made of economic benefits from the no-toll scenario. This reflects the increased affordability following the abolition of tolls at the end of 2018 accruing to users of the crossing in both directions. This will support motorists, residents and businesses across Wales and the south-west, helping rebalance the economy as part of the Industrial Strategy.

Severn River Crossing: Tolls

Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans his Department has to minimise disruption to road users arising from the removal of toll booths and plazas as a result of the abolition of tolls on the M4 second Severn Crossing on 31 December 2018.

Jesse Norman: Highways England are preparing the detailed plans for the removal of the M4 and M48 toll plazas and booths, as soon as it is safely practicable to do so, after tolls cease. Highways England is developing a scheme that removes the charge and provides three lanes of free flowing traffic by 1 January 2019. It is highly likely that this solution will require traffic to be managed by a controlled speed environment as an interim measure whilst the remainder of the toll plaza is removed. All works will be designed to ensure safety for staff and road users and to avoid disruption wherever possible. Upon completion of the detailed design Highways England will make these plans available to stakeholders.

Severn River Crossing: Tolls

Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of (a) a phased reduction of toll fees over a period of several years and (b) other alternatives to the abolition of tolls on the M4 second Severn Crossing on 31 December 2018.

Jesse Norman: Prior to the Severn Crossings consultation in 2017 the Government undertook traffic modelling and economic appraisal to assess the impact of the policy to continue tolling at a reduced rate, and on the possible option of free-flow tolling. No modelling was done on a phased reduction in tolls over a period of several years. The consultation found that interested local parties, including MPs, Assembly Members, businesses and commuters have long called for the abolition of the tolls. In view of that we decided not to press ahead with halving the tolls but instead committed to abolishing the tolls entirely by the end of 2018. The current tolling arrangements at the crossings interrupt traffic flow, leading to start/stop journeys and delays caused by drivers stopping to pay at the barriers. These queues average around 3 minutes. Removal of the barriers will result in improved journey times and reduced delays at the crossings, benefiting most drivers and will also help tackle peak time congestion at the crossings.

Roads: Greater London

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps the Government is taking to fill potholes throughout London.

Jesse Norman: Responsibility for local highways maintenance in London, including repairing potholes, is a matter for Transport for London and the London Boroughs. The Department for Transport allocated over £2.2 million to the local highway authorities in London in December 2017. This will help repair up to 44,686 potholes.

Maritime and Coastguard Agency: Fees and Charges

Karl Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency on fee levels for (a) merchant seafarer training and certification and (b) merchant vessel survey and inspection work.

Ms Nusrat Ghani: In autumn 2016, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) held a six-week targeted consultation on increasing MCA’s Fees and Charges. We are continuing to work on the Government response to this consultation and will make an announcement in due course.

Maritime and Coastguard Agency: Surveying

Karl Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many marine surveyors were recruited by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) in (a) 2015-16, (b) 2016-17 and (c) 2017-18; and what the total number of UK-based MCA marine surveyors was in each of those years.

Ms Nusrat Ghani: The MCA recruited 12 Marine Office Surveyors in 2015/16 and 18 in 2016/17. External recruitment campaigns were paused in January 2017 as part of a restructuring exercise. Following this, an external campaign offering new terms and conditions and remuneration started in autumn 2017. This attracted over 300 applicants with 30 candidates successfully passing the assessments and offered posts across the Marine Office network. Of these, seven chose to remain on a merit list (no posts available in their preferred location) and one joined Ensign (the MCA’s Large Yacht Unit). The remaining 22 candidates are going through the checks, and health and fitness assessments. Three have started, all the remaining candidates are expected to have joined the MCA by summer 2018. The next round of external recruitment has already started.  Financial Year (date of data extract)Headcount of Marine Office surveyors2015/ 2016 (01/03/2016)1052016/ 2017 (01/03/2017)1082017/ 2018 (01/03/2018)105

Merchant Shipping: Qualifications

Karl Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the 2010 Manila amendments to the Seafarer, Training, Certification and Watchkeeping Convention, if he will take steps to ensure that employers in the UK shipping industry meet the cost to merchant seafarers of renewing the basic qualifications to work at sea every five years mandated by those amendments.

Ms Nusrat Ghani: Shipping is a global industry and introducing mandatory requirements for employers to cover these costs could be detrimental to employment opportunities for UK seafarers.

Govia Thameslink Railway: Compensation

Sarah Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much of the £300 million allocated by his Department to Network Rail for improvement works on the Southern and Thameslink networks will be paid to Govia Thameslink Railway in compensation for disruption during those works.

Joseph Johnson: Holding answer received on 26 March 2018



No compensation will be paid to Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR). Some of the money will be used to pay for additional costs incurred by GTR as a result of the disruption to passengers, for example bus replacement services – according to usual industry processes. For other franchises, some compensation would normally be paid to franchisees to reflect the loss of revenue resulting from the engineering work impact. Again this is part of standard industry practice. For the Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern (TSGN) franchise, as the Department for Transport takes revenue risk, this compensation will not be paid to GTR.

Taxis: Licensing

Alex Sobel: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to ensure that disabled people are represented on his Department's working group on taxi and private hire licensing.

Ms Nusrat Ghani: The Task and Finish group on Taxi and Private Hire Vehicles was established by the then Minister of State for Transport, John Hayes, and has received submissions from a number of disability representation organisations. I look forward to receiving the group’s findings soon.

Taxis: Equality

Alex Sobel: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of making disability equality training a requirement for all (a) taxi and (b) private hire vehicle drivers.

Ms Nusrat Ghani: Taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs) provide a vital service for many disabled people, and their drivers should have the knowledge and skills to provide every passenger with the assistance they require. Around a third of local licensing authorities already require drivers to complete disability awareness or equality training, and I would urge the remainder to take action now, using their existing licensing powers, to ensure that every driver receives it. Later in 2018 we intend to consult on revised best practice guidance for local licensing authorities which will recommend that authorities require drivers to complete disability awareness training and take robust action against those found to have discriminated against disabled passengers.

Department for Transport: Hedgehogs

Sir Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps have been taken by (a) his Department and (b) agencies of his Department to (i) protect and (ii) support hedgehogs since his appointment as a species champion for the native hedgehog.

Ms Nusrat Ghani: HS2 Ltd has worked closely with the Royal Parks and the Zoological Society for London on the development of an Ecological Mitigation Plan with the aim of lessening the impact on the local wildlife population. HS2 is the first project of this kind to have developed measures aimed at protecting hedgehogs. In addition, the Department for Transport is currently exploring the options for a traffic sign to make drivers aware of the presence of hedgehogs and other small animals in the road ahead, in locations where there have been a high number of animal casualties.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting

James Duddridge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to the outputs published from the Commonwealth Parliamentarians’ Forum hosted by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association from 26 February to 1 March 2018, whether he plans to take steps in response to those outputs; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: The Foreign Secretary was delighted to address delegates to the Commonwealth Parliamentarians' Forum during their recent visit to London. He has received copies of the forum outputs, including: the Declaration of the First Commonwealth Parliamentarians Forum; The Youth Delegate Declaration; and a letter from delegates calling for the creation of a Commonwealth Climate Change Council at April's Heads of Government Meeting.Mitigating the effects of climate change, especially as it affects small island states, will be one of the main policy areas leaders will discuss at the summit. Issues affecting the Commonwealth's young population will also feature prominently during the summit, with one of the four official forums at the start of the week dedicated to Youth.

Yemen: Peace Negotiations

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support proposals for peace talks in Yemen.

Alistair Burt: Peace talks are the top priority. Only a political solution can bring long-term stability to Yemen and there is no military solution to the conflict. The Yemeni parties must engage constructively and in good faith to overcome obstacles and find a political solution to end the conflict. During the visit of the Saudi Crown Prince to the UK earlier this month, the UK and Saudi Arabia agreed on the importance of reaching a political solution to the crisis in Yemen and resolved to work closely together and with partners, including the newly appointed UN Special Envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths, to achieve this.The UK is playing a leading role in diplomatic efforts, including bringing together key international actors to try to find a peaceful solution. We proposed the Presidential Statement passed at the UN Security Council on 15 March which called for a return to UN-led peace talks. We are now working urgently with our international and regional partners to ensure that the Security Council's words are converted into action. We call on all parties to respect these unified and clear demands from the international community.

Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting: Religious Freedom

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that the right to freedom of religion and belief will (a) be discussed at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and (b) included in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Joint Communiqué.

Alistair Burt: We are working with fellow member states to negotiate the communiqué for next month's Commonwealth Heads of Government. We do not comment on those negotiations while they are underway. The UK considers freedom of religion and belief to be one of the Commonwealth's core values.Encouraging member states to uphold the values and principles enshrined in the Commonwealth Charter – which include freedom of religion as well as democracy, freedom of expression, the rule of law and opposition to all forms of discrimination – will be an important part of April's summit.

Syria: Overseas Aid

Lloyd Russell-Moyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether the Government has provided (a) financial and (b) other support to (i) Jaish al-Islam, (ii) Ahrar al-Sham and (iii) groups affiliated to them in the last five years.

Alistair Burt: Through the Conflict Pool and its successor, the Conflict Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) for Syria, the UK has provided political support and non-lethal equipment to the moderate opposition. In terms of equipment, we have provided communications, medical and logistics equipment. We have also provided equipment to protect against chemical weapons attack. The value of this support was £32 million for the period 2011-17. For security reasons we do not disclose the names of the groups supported by Her Majesty's Government. The UK does not supply weapons to anybody in Syria.

Syria: Politics and Government

Lloyd Russell-Moyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what information the Government holds on the identity of the armed opposition group in Syria which Bherlin Gildo supported; and whether the Government provided (a) financial and (b) other support to that group.

Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office holds no categorical information on the identity of the armed opposition group supported by Bherlin Gildo. For security reasons, we do not disclose the names of those moderate opposition groups supported by Her Majesty's Government. The UK does not supply weapons to anyone in Syria.

Syria: Armed Conflict

Lloyd Russell-Moyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of Government support for armed opposition groups in Syria in each year since 2012.

Alistair Burt: Through the Conflict Pool and its successor, the Conflict Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) for Syria, the UK has provided political support and non-lethal equipment to the moderate opposition. In terms of equipment, we have provided communications, medical and logistics equipment. We have also provided equipment to protect against chemical weapons attack. The UK does not supply weapons to anybody in Syria. The value of this support was £32 million for the period 2011-17.

British Overseas Territories: Hurricanes and Tornadoes

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure the UK is able to respond quickly to hurricanes affecting UK Overseas Territories.

Sir Alan Duncan: ​The Foreign Secretary continues to chair the Interministerial Group overseeing and coordinating the Government's response to hurricane recovery in the region. This Group is also directing broad cross-government preparations, focusing on improving individual Overseas Territory resilience, expanding regional capability, and better coordinating the UK's response in future.

China: Politics and Government

Bob Blackman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to the Sino-British Joint Declaration, what assessment he has made of the charges which have been brought against Benny Tai, Dr Chan Kin-min, Reverend Chu Yiu-ming and eight other leaders of the Occupy Movement.

Mark Field: The Foreign Secretary confirmed in the foreword to the most recent Six Monthly Report to Parliament: "The rule of law and independence of the judiciary is the foundation on which Hong Kong's success and prosperity is built. This reporting period has seen a large number of cases related to the political system come before Hong Kong's courts, including the disqualification of a further four legislators. The judiciary in Hong Kong remains in high esteem. It will be vital that the Hong Kong SAR Government is seen to use the system of justice fairly in all cases".We shall not comment on ongoing specific, legal proceedings, which are a matter for the Hong Kong Courts.However, we raised our concerns about the timing of a number of arrests of pro-democracy Occupy Movement activists with the Hong Kong Department of Justice in April 2017, and issued a statement in August 2017 following the sentencing of student pro-democracy activists.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Cambridge Analytica

Deidre Brock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether (a) his Department and (b) any of its agencies has entered into contracts with Cambridge Analytica since 2012.

Sir Alan Duncan: ​The Foreign and Commonwealth Office and its agencies have not entered into any contracts with Cambridge Analytica since 2012.

Syria: Armed Conflict

Lloyd Russell-Moyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, which UK-supplied military-related equipment does the Government assess that Turkey is using in operations in Afrin.

Sir Alan Duncan: ​UK arms exports are subject to export controls. All decisions to approve export licences are considered on a case-by-case basis against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria (Consolidated Criteria). Decisions are based on the most up-to-date information and analysis available, including reports from our overseas network and military contacts. The Consolidated Criteria provide a thorough risk assessment framework and require us to consider the impact of providing equipment and its capabilities. We do not issue export licences where, for example, we assess there is a clear risk that the goods might be used for internal repression or used aggressively against another country. We cannot categorically state that UK weapons are not in use in Turkish military operations in Afrin, but all decisions to approve export licenses will have been taken based on the Consolidated Criteria and according to the latest information available at that time. We keep our approach to all countries under continual review.

Burma: Politics and Government

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions on Myanmar took place at the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting on 26 February; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Field: Council conclusions were adopted at the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting on 26 February. These condemned the ongoing widespread, systematic grave human rights violations committed by the Burmese military and security forces. The Council also called upon Burma to address the issue of accountability and to create conditions for voluntary, safe and dignified refugee returns. The UK was instrumental in securing agreement to begin the process of introducing targeted sanctions on individual senior military officers, and to renew and strengthen the existing EU Arms Embargo on Burma.

Hong Kong: Overseas Trade

Geraint Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential effect the proposed Hong Kong Basic Law Article 23 legislation on British businesses operating in Hong Kong.

Mark Field: ​Any enactment of Article 23 legislation is for the Hong Kong Government to decide, in consultation with the people of Hong Kong.Should the Hong Kong Government seek to introduce a bill, the FCO regards it as important that there is dialogue between all parties; and that any legislation does not undermine the basic rights and freedoms of the people of Hong Kong. The rule of law and independence of the judiciary is the foundation on which Hong Kong's success and prosperity is built. Despite challenges, Hong Kong's rule of law remains robust and the judiciary remains in high esteem. Confidence in rule of law is essential for 'One Country, Two Systems' and for Hong Kong's reputation as a global centre for business.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Procurement

Sir Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many meetings (a) he, (b) Ministers of his Department and (c) officials in his Department have held with representatives of (a) Cambridge Analytica, (b) SCL Group, (c) Global Science Research and (d) Alexander Nix.

Sir Alan Duncan: I, the Foreign Secretary, and Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) officials in London, Washington and New York met representatives, including Alexander Nix, from Cambridge Analytica, in 2016-17. This was part of the government’s work to better understand the 2016 US presidential election, the political environment that followed and to build relationships with the Trump Presidential campaign and transition team. This outreach was part of normal diplomatic business.In addition the FCO has identified: one former project from 2008-2009 with Strategic Communications Laboratories Group Limited (SCL) involvement; that SCL attended a conference organised by the FCO at Wilton Park on ‘Diplomacy in the Information Age’ in February 2017; and an official dialled into a general briefing of the outcome of a SCL research study on counter extremism campaigns in March 2018. The FCO is not planning any further contact with that organisation or those linked to it.

Department for International Development

Department for International Development: Payroll Deduction Scheme

Sir Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether officials in his Department who are members of credit unions have the facility to make deposits through payroll deductions.

Alistair Burt: There is no facility for making deposits to credit unions through payroll deductions.

Palestinians: Reconstruction

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to encourage other Governments to honour the reconstruction pledges made at the 2014 Cairo Conference.

Alistair Burt: The UK has disbursed its £20 million pledge in early recovery assistance made at the 2014 Gaza Reconstruction Conference in Cairo, including support for cash assistance to Palestinian refugees, mine removal and medical treatment. We continue to encourage other donors and the international community to work towards reconstruction in Gaza.

Department for Education

Ofsted

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the recommendations direct towards Ofsted arising from the Cabinet Office's Regulatory Futures Review, published in January 2017.

Nick Gibb: Ofsted has been applying the principle of ‘earned recognition’ across most areas of its remit, with providers judged less than good now receiving more frequent inspections in early years, state-funded schools, further education and children’s social care than has been the case in the past. Ofsted also carries out risk assessments to determine when and whether inspections should take place, and to make a professional judgement on how to act when they receive new information. In relation to cost recovery, the Department has taken forward regulatory changes in order to increase fees for regulated providers. This was agreed as part of Ofsted’s 2015 Spending Review settlement. The Government has laid regulations to increase fees for the inspection of independent schools, with immediate effect. The structure of fees have also been increased for inspection of social care settings by 10%. This allows Ofsted to recover a greater amount of the inspection cost from providers. The Department will continue to take into account recommendations from the Review when considering future fee increases.

Mature Students

Angela Rayner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what definition his Department uses for a mature (a) full-time student and (b) part-time student.

Mr Sam Gyimah: The department uses the definition and data published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). HESA generally classes undergraduates as young if they are under 21 years of age on entry, and mature if they are 21 or over. Postgraduates are classed as young if they are under 25 years of age on entry, and mature if they are 25 or over. The term “full-time” is used by HESA to refer to any student required to attend a higher education provider for at least 24 weeks within the year of study and to undertake tuition, study or work experience for an average of at least 21 hours per week. It also includes those enrolled on any sandwich course. More information on the definitions that HESA uses can be found at: https://www.hesa.ac.uk/support/definitions/students.

Pupil Referral Units: Exercise

Gavin Newlands: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans he has to increase availability opportunities for physical activities for children and young people in Pupil Referral Units.

Nick Gibb: On 16 March, the Government announced its vision for reforming alternative provision (AP) in ‘Creating opportunity for all: Our vision for alternative provision’ (available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/creating-opportunity-for-all-our-vision-for-alternative-provision). This sets out how the Government will reform AP to raise standards and improve outcomes for all children in AP, including Pupil Referral Units. Physical Education (PE) is compulsory at all four Key Stages in the National Curriculum. While this does not apply directly to AP, the Department’s statutory guidance advises that AP should enable pupils to ‘achieve good educational attainment on par with their mainstream peers’ and to study ‘appropriate accreditation and qualifications’. Through the primary PE and sport premium, the Government has provided over £600 million to primary schools, including primary pupil referral units, to be spent on the improvement of PE and sport. From September 2017 the Government doubled funding for the premium to £320 million a year. In 2018-19 the Department is providing schools with £100 million Healthy Pupils Capital Fund to support them to improve access to facilities for physical activity, healthy eating, mental health and wellbeing and medical conditions. Local authorities and large multi academy trusts can determine how to allocate this funding to best meet the needs of all pupils, including those pupils educated in pupil referral units they are directly responsible for.

Children in Care

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what support his Department provides to children in care to help them integrate into new families.

Nadhim Zahawi: Before placing a child, local authorities are required to draw up a placement plan detailing how the placement is intended to contribute to meeting the child’s needs. As set out in Volume 2 of the Children Act 1989 Guidance, an effective placement plan will provide the carer with essential information about the child, including their emotional and educational needs, how these may affect the child’s daily routine and strategies for responding to them. The placement plan helps the carer to support the child in their new home and can reduce the likelihood of placement breakdown.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Shipping

Sue Hayman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress has been made on developing data exchange arrangements to identify the movement of (a) EU and (b) third country vessels in UK waters, and the movement of UK vessels in (i) EU and (ii) third country waters, after the UK leaves the EU.

George Eustice: There are two primary sources of data which can be used to monitor fishing vessel activity. Firstly, under International Maritime Organisation regulations, vessels over 300 tonnes must have automatic identification system (AIS); this is also an EU requirement for vessels over 15m in length and is used more widely as a safety aid. AIS is open source data available to all vessels wherever they are. Secondly, all EU vessels over 12m in length must have a vessel monitoring system while third country vessels in EU waters are required to have an operational satellite tracking system. Data sharing arrangements between authorities are a standard condition of fisheries agreements.

Veterinary Medicine: Homoeopathy

David Tredinnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has any evidence which shows that homeopathic vets are a risk to animal welfare by using homeopathy as an alternative treatment to pharmaceutical treatment options.

George Eustice: The Department does not have any evidence that shows that homeopathic vets are a risk to animal welfare by using homeopathy as an alternative treatment to conventional medicine options. It should be noted that ‘conventional’ medicines are required to be licensed by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate. Such products will have undergone clinical trials before receiving a market authorisation – this covers efficacy, safety and an assessment of risks versus benefits. Some homeopathic remedies are registered under the Veterinary Medicines Regulations. However, this is a very different process and such products do not undergo the same detailed evaluation – notably efficacy is not considered.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Assets

Peter Dowd: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much money his Department has raised from the sale of (a) assets, (b) land and (c) buildings in each year since 2010.

George Eustice: The amount raised from the sale of assets is shown below. Please note the figures for 2017-18 are still subject to audit.Assets (excluding land and buildings)LandBuildings £'000£'000£'0002010-111201,1642,5112011-121,8241,6763,2572012-131,57001062013-142204,1531,9502014-1502,1456,6872015-1605,4629,5082016-1713,00003602017-1800601

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Public Expenditure

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Written Statement of 13 March 2018, Spring Statement, HCWS 540, if he will publish a list of where the £310 million in EU exit funding for his Department will be allocated.

George Eustice: £310m has been allocated to Defra. This will support ongoing work to ensure a successful EU exit across Defra’s portfolio, from agriculture to the environment, including:Developing new IT systems to maintain smooth trade in agri-foods and chemicals, and supporting the associated trade negotiations;Ensuring that the UK has a robust environmental regulatory framework after exit;Developing the Government’s approach to farming and fisheries. As with all Reserve funding, finalised allocations will be confirmed at Supplementary Estimates 2018-19 in early 2019.

Poultry

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has had discussions with the Environment Agency on delaying the planned increase in permit charges for intensive poultry farming until April 2019; and if he will make a statement.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: The Environment Agency confirmed on 21 March 2018 that the new charges would come into effect from 1 April 2018. This decision was taken following consideration of comments from charge payers. Their consultation response document is available online and sets out where proposals have been adjusted to take consultation feedback into account, including the decision not to delay implementation.

Meat: Labelling

Sir Edward Leigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to introduce the mandatory labelling of non-halal meat.

George Eustice: The Government is aware that there is public concern about meat from animals slaughtered in accordance with religious beliefs being sold to consumers who do not require their meat to be prepared in this way. There are no domestic or European Regulations that require the labelling of halal or kosher meat but where any information of this nature is provided, it must be accurate and must not be misleading to the consumer. The Government believes that consumers should have the necessary information available to them to make an informed choice about their food and this is an issue the Government is considering in the context of our departure from the EU.

Agriculture: Snow and Ice

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department plans to take to help farmers affected by heavy falls of snow in March 2018.

George Eustice: The Government recognises the challenges faced by farmers during the recent adverse weather conditions. The main difficulties appear to have been with feed deliveries, milk collections and collection of fallen stock. To assist farmers, Government authorised extensions to the normal driving time limits and agreed that the collection of fallen stock could be delayed. We continue to monitor the situation with the National Fallen Stock Company.

Poverty: Rural Areas

Dr David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will commission an independent investigation into the (a) causes and (b) effects of poverty in rural areas.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: Defra works to champion rural needs and rural-proof policies across government, making sure they take account of the specific challenges and opportunities for rural areas. Defra has held a number of policy roundtables with a range of organisations to hear views on the challenges facing rural businesses and communities and to identify solutions to them. Government policy is based on economic prosperity and helping all people out of poverty wherever they are located.

Department for Exiting the European Union

Females: Equality

Dawn Butler: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that women’s views are represented in negotiations to leave the EU.

Suella Fernandes: Ministers and officials from across Government have carried out extensive engagement to hear a range of views on our EU exit. As such, we work with women involved in businesses, think tanks, academia, voluntary organisations and many other groups, listening to their perspectives on our future partnership with the EU and other matters. This is in addition to the engagement we have with groups focused on women’s rights and equalities.

Fisheries

Peter Grant: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what discussions he had with his Cabinet colleagues before 19 March 2018 on leaving fishing rights under EU control during a transitional deal.

Suella Fernandes: We regularly engage with the Cabinet on EU exit, including on the agreement to the implementation period. The Government does not comment on internal Cabinet discussions.

Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority

Members' Constituency Work

Thangam Debbonaire: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, if the Committee will make representations to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority on the need for additional financial provision to cover the increase in Members' constituency caseloads as a result of preparations for the UK leaving the EU.

Mr Charles Walker: The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) regulates and funds MPs’ business costs and expenses. As part of this role, IPSA sets a maximum budget from which MPs can fund their staffing costs. This is based on an average of four full-time-equivalent staff members, although each MP can choose to deploy this budget to suit their own staffing needs.MPs’ budgets are reviewed each year. In 2012, the staffing budget was increased by 25% for London Area MPs and by 19% for non-London Area MPs, in part to allow MPs to employ more staff to support their work with constituents. In April 2018, the staffing budget will increase by a further 1.8% to allow for staff pay rises.In addition, MPs may request to increase their budget if they provide evidence of having incurred unforeseen, exceptional costs. Such requests for contingency funding are considered on a case-by-case basis. If any MP finds that their constituency caseload has increased to an unmanageable level as a result of preparations for the UK leaving the EU (or another exceptional issue), they may apply for an increase to their staffing budget in this way.

Attorney General

Money Laundering

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Attorney General, pursuant to the Answer of 20 February 2018 to Question 127856 on money laundering, how many of those businesses have been fined more than once; and what the (a) average, (b) lowest and (c) highest value of those fines was.

Robert Buckland: Holding answer received on 27 March 2018



The ‎work of the FCA is a matter for HMT. Officials at HMT have advised that in January 2017, the FCA fined Deutsche Bank £163 million, its largest ever financial penalty for AML failings. All FCA fines levied against businesses are published online. The link to the webpage can be found below: www.fca.org.uk/news/news-stories/2017-fines HMT does not hold data on how many firms have been fined more than once, the lowest fine, nor the average value of fines.

Wales Office

Wales Office: Buildings

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to Answer of  21 March 2018 to Question 132229 on Wales Office: Buildings, what the cost to his Department was of the rented accommodation in each of the last three years.

Stuart Andrew: The cost to the Department of the rented accommodation in Cardiff over the last three years is shown below: Financial YearCost (£)2014-15*81,1342015-16194,5662016-17194,235 The costs include rental costs, service charges, rates and facilities management.*The costs were lower in 2014-15 due to the Wales Office being in a rent free period between the 1 January 2014 to 31 March 2015.

Wales Office: Cambridge Analytica

Deidre Brock: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether (a) his Department and (b) any of its agencies has entered into contracts with Cambridge Analytica since 2012.

Stuart Andrew: The Wales Office has not entered into any contracts with Cambridge Analytica.

Ministry of Justice

Compulsorily Detained Psychiatric Patients

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many people released after being detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 have subsequently been convicted of a crime in each year for which information is available since 2010; and if he publish the categories of crimes that were committed.

Dr Phillip Lee: The information requested is not all held centrally. Proven reoffending statistics in relation to conditionally discharged restricted patients are in the public domain. This information can be found at:https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/563187/annex-b-restricted-patients-reoffending-jan14-dec14.xls Detailed categories of crimes committed by discharged restricted patients are not published, however the number of indictable offences committed is published.There are some limitations to the published data for restricted patients:(a) the published data cover only first-time discharges and do not cover cases where the patient was recalled and subsequently discharge; and(b) the published data cover only proven re-offences committed within a year of being discharged

Refugees: Legal Aid Scheme

Hugh Gaffney: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether the Government plans to reinstate legal aid in refugee family reunion cases.

Lucy Frazer: Legal aid is not generally available for matters concerning family reunion. Where a case is outside the scope of legal aid, exceptional funding may be available where required under ECHR or EU law. The Lord Chancellor has confirmed that we shall conduct an evidence-based review of Part 1 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (LASPO), assessing the changes against their objectives. This review will include changes made to provision of legal aid for family reunion.

Ministry of Justice: Buildings

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 20 March 2018 to Question 132222, on Ministry of Justice: Buildings, what the annual cost is of his Department occupying each type of property.

Dr Phillip Lee: The information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Ministry of Justice: Cambridge Analytica

Deidre Brock: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether (a) his Department and (b) any of its agencies has entered into contracts with Cambridge Analytica since 2012.

Rory Stewart: From our records, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and its agencies has not entered into contracts with Cambridge Analytica since 2012.

Ministry of Justice: SCL Group

Deidre Brock: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether (a) his Department and (b) any of his Department's agencies entered into contracts with Strategic Communication Laboratories in each year since 2010.

Rory Stewart: From our records, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and its agencies has not entered into contracts with Strategic Communication Laboratories in each year since 2010.

Child Contact Centres

Seema Malhotra: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what funding his Department has allocated to support the establishment and operation of child contact centres in England in each of the last five years.

Lucy Frazer: The Government has no overall responsibility for funding child contact centre provision. However, the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) procures contact sessions at supervised child contact centres for families involved in family proceedings. The level of funding is dependent on demand but has remained broadly stable since 2014/15. Cafcass also provides small value grants of up to £3,000 per annum to assist child contact centres run by the voluntary sector (supported centres), where such organisations seek financial assistance. The value of these grants decreased in 2013/14 due to additional top-up funding for these centres provided in 2012/13 before increasing in 2014/15. Funding since 2015/16 has remained broadly stable. The Ministry of Justice, and previously the Department for Education, has provided core grant funding to the National Association of Child Contact Centres (NACCC) to help it set standards and run an accreditation scheme for child contact centres in England, supported by training. The value of this grant has increased in each of the last three years. Funding for the financial years 2013/14 to 2017/18 are shown in the table below. Unit cost efficiencies, changes in demand volume and changes to the ways suppliers are paid mean that figures are not directly comparable across all financial years. Core grant funding of child contact centres: financial years 2013/14 to 2017/18 2013/14 £2014/15 £2015/16 £2016/17 £2017/18 (provisional) £Supervised child contact centres2,443,3051,579,3511,368,6051,546,0651,599,074Supported child contact centres160,585385,544446,223447,787434,800NACCC core grant128,6051128.9581130,0002170,000192,000Notes: 1 Department for Education. 2 Transitional year with a grant of £65,000 each from Ministry of Justice and Department for Education.

Ministry of Justice: Cambridge Analytica​ and SCL Group

Dr Philippa Whitford: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he has met with representatives of (a) SCL Group and (b) Cambridge Analytica.

Rory Stewart: The Secretary of State for Justice has not met with any representatives of SCL Group or Cambridge Analytica. Departments publish quarterly details of Ministers’ meetings with external organisations on GOV.UK. These can be found at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/moj-gifts-hospitality-travel-and-meetings#2017

Ministry of Justice: Cambridge Analytica​ and SCL Group

Dr Philippa Whitford: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether (a) his Department and (b) agencies of his Department have had contracts with (i) SCL Group, (ii) Cambridge Analytica.

Rory Stewart: From our records, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and its agencies has not entered into contracts with Strategic Communication Laboratories Group (SCL) and Cambridge Analytica.

Cabinet Office

Local Government: Elections

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether non-UK EU citizens will be able to vote in local elections after the UK leaves the EU.

Chloe Smith: This is part of the wider issue of the rights of EU citizens and UK expats that need to be considered during the Brexit preparations. The rights of both sides should be taken together.We will continue to recognise the value that EU citizens bring to our society, and we have already reached broad agreement with the EU on wider citizens’ rights. We will remain an open and diverse country after we leave the European Union.

Regulatory Futures Review

Jon Trickett: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to page 8 of his Department's document Regulatory Futures Review, published in January 2018, whether he has received such a report on burdens on smaller regulators.

Jon Trickett: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what his response is to the recommendations regarding the burden upon regulators arising from the Regulatory Futures Review, published in January 2017.

Chloe Smith: Burdens on smaller regulators were raised in the Regulatory Futures Review with regard to the implementation of the 2016 Enterprise Act’s provisions for independent scrutiny of the impact on business of regulatory changes. The Public Accounts Committee also recommended an approach to assessing impacts (Recommendation 6 of its 2016-17 report on Better Regulation – HC 487). In light of both reports ministers modified the Better Regulation System to make it more proportionate for both departments and regulators as reflected in the Interim Guidance on the Better Regulation Framework published by the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on 22 February 2018.

Electoral Register

Vicky Foxcroft: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet office, what steps he is taking to increase voter registration among under-registered groups.

Chloe Smith: Our inaugural National Democracy Week in July is going to be a UK-wide event, intended to increase democratic engagement among a wide range of under-registered groups. Last Wednesday we launched its website and a youth engagement toolkit for parliamentarians and later this year will recruit and train youth Democracy Ambassadors.

Electoral Register: Domestic Violence

Michelle Donelan: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet office, what steps his Department has taken to make it easier for victims and survivors of domestic violence to register to vote anonymously.

Chloe Smith: Legislation has come into force this month making it easier to register to vote anonymously.When registering, survivors can now provide evidence from a broader range of professionals to reflect their experiences. This includes sworn statements from refuge managers that their safety would be at risk if their details appeared on the register.

Devolution: Scotland

Mr Alister Jack: What recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Scotland on devolving powers to the Scottish Parliament after the UK leaves the EU.

Mr David Lidington: I continue to have regular conversations with the Secretary of State for Scotland on the return of powers from Brussels to Holyrood following exit from the EU. Furthermore, we are both part of JMC(EN) where this, amongst other issues, has been discussed with the devolved administrations.

*No heading*

Alex Norris: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to increase voter registration among under-registered groups.

Mr David Lidington: I continue to have regular conversations with the Secretary of State for Scotland on the return of powers from Brussels to Holyrood following exit from the EU. Furthermore, we are both part of JMC(EN) where this, amongst other issues, has been discussed with the devolved administrations.